1. Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study.
- Author
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Eleje GU, Rabiu A, Mbachu II, Akaba GO, Loto OM, Usman HA, Fiebai PO, Chukwuanukwu RC, Joe-Ikechebelu NN, Nwankwo CH, Kalu SO, Onubogu CU, Ogbuagu CN, Chukwurah SN, Uzochukwu CE, Inuyomi SO, Adesoji BA, Ogwaluonye UC, Emeka EA, Egeonu RO, Igue OE, Jibuaku CH, Okoro OD, Aja PO, Chidozie CP, Ibrahim HS, Aliyu FE, Numan AI, Omoruyi SA, Oppah IC, Anyang UI, Ahmed A, Umeononihu OS, Umeh EO, Nweje SI, Ajuba IC, Okoro CC, Onwuegbuna AA, Igbodike EP, Nwaeju IK, Yakasai IA, Ezechi OC, and Ikechebelu JI
- Subjects
- Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Nigeria epidemiology, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Hepacivirus genetics, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious epidemiology
- Abstract
Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening., Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria., Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-hepatitis C virus testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed hepatitis C virus positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Participants were evaluated for risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant., Results: Of 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% confidence interval = 38.2%-60.5%) were aware of hepatitis C virus infection and awareness of hepatitis C virus was associated with young age (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.16-4.21), high educational level (odds ratio = 3.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.63-6.64), and participants' occupation (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26-0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of hepatitis C virus and participants' young age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.09-2.35; p = 0.018) and high educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval = 1.17-1.86; p = 0.001) remained significant. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%-4.5%). All (100.0%, 95% confidence interval = 12.1%-100.0%) the hepatitis C virus-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95% confidence interval = 51.3%-76.8%) hepatitis C virus-negative participants had identifiable hepatitis C virus risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-hepatitis C virus/anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B surface antigen each accounted for 0.6%. The most identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), and blood transfusion (11.3%). There was no significant association between the risk factors and hepatitis C virus positive status., Conclusion: Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria is low and those aware are positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify antenatal routine screening.
- Published
- 2021
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