Prevalence of Anaemia, Fasting Hyperglycaemia and Hepatitis B Surface Antigenaemia among Pregnant Women Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Owerri, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anaemia, hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy and hepatitis B virus infection are important, largely detectable conditions that can adversely affect maternal and neonatal health. Evidence describing their burden within the same antenatal population in South-East Nigeria remains limited. Objective: This study determined the prevalence of anaemia, fasting hyperglycaemia meeting the World Health Organization gestational diabetes threshold, and hepatitis B surface antigenaemia among pregnant women attending the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, and compared prevalence across trimesters. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled 300 consenting pregnant women by consecutive sampling, with 100 women in each trimester. Venous blood was collected into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, fluoride-oxalate and plain tubes. Packed cell volume was measured by the microhaematocrit method and haemoglobin concentration was estimated as packed cell volume divided by three. Fasting plasma glucose was determined by the glucose oxidase method. Hepatitis B surface antigen was screened by immunochromatography, with reactive specimens confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <11.0 g/dL, while fasting hyperglycaemia was defined as glucose ≥92 mg/dL. Prevalence estimates were reported with 95% Wilson confidence intervals; trimester differences were examined using Pearson's chi-square test. Results: Anaemia occurred in 111 women (37.0%; 95% CI: 31.7-42.6), fasting hyperglycaemia in 78 (26.0%; 95% CI: 21.4-31.2), and confirmed hepatitis B surface antigenaemia in 48 (16.0%; 95% CI: 12.3-20.6). Anaemia prevalence was 36.0%, 41.0% and 34.0% in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively (χ²=1.115, p=0.573). Corresponding proportions were 28.0%, 23.0% and 27.0% for fasting hyperglycaemia (χ²=0.728, p=0.695), and 17.0%, 16.0% and 15.0% for hepatitis B surface antigenaemia (χ²=0.149, p=0.928). Conclusion: The antenatal population carried a substantial burden of all three conditions, with anaemia being most frequent. Prevalence did not differ significantly by trimester. Integrated testing at antenatal entry, followed by guideline-based confirmation and treatment, may improve opportunities for timely maternal care and prevention of perinatal hepatitis B transmission.