Prevalence and Risk Factors to Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Ante-Natal Care at Taraba State Specialist Hospital Jalingo, Taraba State Nigeria

Abstract

Back ground: HBV in pregnancy is relatively more difficult to manage. The pooled prevalence rates of HBV among pregnant women in Africa was reported as 5.89%. and 6.77%.in the year,2024. Aim: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors to HBV infection among pregnant women in Jalingo. Settings and Design: It was an experimental design whereby an invitro diagnostic assay was carried out on the participants. The questionnaire was utilized to obtain information on the demographic characteristics and risk factors to HBV among the participants. The participants were recruited by simple random sampling. Method: A self structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographics, socio-economic and health risk factors to HBV among pregnant women who consented to participate in the study. Observing aseptic techniques, 5ml of blood was collected and HBV was detected using the in vitro diagnostic assay. Results: The mean age of the 200 participants was 28.33 years, the minimum and maximum were respectively 16 and 42 years with the standard deviation of 5.69years and mode,30 years. The prevalence of HBV among the pregnant women was10% with the age group 18-22 having the highest prevalence (11.11%) as well as those who were in their second trimester (10.33%) and the single ladies (12%) and secondary school leavers (10.8%). Conclusion: Blood transfusion, needle prick, tribal marks, exchange of needles, educational level, occupation and annual income influence the prevalence of HBV. Therefore, there is the need to enlighten the women on the risk factors to HBV. Also, it is necessary for every/female to be vaccinated.