Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAG) among pregnant women in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo State, Nigeria

Seroprevalence of maternal Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were determined among pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic at Aboh General Hospital, Aboh, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. Samples were assayed for HBsAg using one step Hepatitis B Surface Antigen test strip. Information on gestational age of the expectant mothers, gravidity, demographic and other possible risk factors, were obtained using a standard questionnaire. A total of three hundred and fifty one (351) serum samples were screened. Three hundred and two samples (302) were from pregnant women who served as test subjects, while forty nine (49) samples were from non pregnant women, which were obtained as control. Overall result showed that 62(20.53%) of the pregnant women screened were positive, while 9(18.37%) of control subjects also showed positivity for the viral surface antigen. Highest numbers of positive samples were observed among women that are multigravidae, (50(16.6%) prevalence was recorded), while 34(11.2%) was amongst the primigravidae. Similarly, the highest prevalent rate was obtained from women in their second trimester of pregnancy out of which 38(12.6%) were seropositive, while the least came from women at their first trimester of pregnancy (3.6%). Comparing the various demographic data obtained, 51(16.9%) housewives recorded the highest prevalent rate, while students subject screened, recorded the lowest prevalence of (1.3%). From the above result, neonatal transmission is a possibility to be considered especially from chronic carrier mothers and others with acute Hepatitis B. As a consequence, it is advocated that pregnant women be tested for HBsAg during an early prenatal visit. This suggests also that they should be tested when admitted for delivery. Keywords: Hepatitis B, surface antigen, pregnant women, ante-natal, Nigeria