Associations between prior abortion and hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending health care facilities. Meta-analysis

Abstract Background Different results were found in earlier research on pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection and past abortions. The current meta-analysis’s objective was to investigate the connection between previous abortion and hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women. Methods In January 2023, the following databases were searched: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. A total of 9 articles that were published in English from 2012 to 2022 were included. Egger’s test and the funnel plot’s asymmetry were employed to look for publication bias. JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies and case–control studies were used. Using the random effect model; the combined odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were obtained. Results There were 212 pregnant women with hepatitis B virus infection among the 3582 participants in nine (9) investigations. Comparing pregnant women who had prior abortions to pregnant women who had not had prior abortions, the combined effect size (OR) for hepatitis B virus infection was 3.43 (95% CI 1.66–7.10, p = 0.0009, I2 = 77%). Significant heterogeneity was present (Q = 34.33, I2 = 77%, p 0.00001). There was no evidence of publication bias (Egger’s test: p = 0.495; Begg’s test: p = 0.532). In all, 3582 (17.39%) pregnant women had previously had abortions, and 5.91% of pregnant women had Hepatitis B virus infection. Conclusions Prior abortions elevated a pregnant woman's risk of contracting the hepatitis B virus. However, as a result of this study, we recommend to healthcare professionals to prevent unsafe abortions in order to enhance maternal health by lowering hepatitis B virus infection. Unsafe abortion can be prevented through: good sexuality education; prevention of unintended pregnancy through use of effective contraception, including emergency contraception; and provision of safe, legal abortion. In addition, deaths and disability from unsafe abortion can be reduced through the timely provision of emergency treatment of complications. .