Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection among Pregnant Women in Makurdi, Nigeria.

The prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) carrier and infectivity status among three hundred (300) pregnant women in Makurdi were determined through random anonymous testing of volunteers attending antenatal clinics of different Hospitals within the metropolis. HBV carriage status was determined by the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Repeated reactive samples were confirmed by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Bio Rad, France). Maternal HBV infectivity status was determined by testing all HBsAg positive samples for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Overall, 33 (11%) pregnant women were identified as carriers of HBV and 10 of the 33 (30.3%) pregnant women identified as HBV carriers tested positive for HBeAg. Hence, 3.3% of the entire study population was found to have high viral replication as well as high risk of transmitting HBV to their neonates. The frequency of HBV carriers did not vary with age, however it varies significantly with the anaemic status of the subjects (P<0.05). This study demonstrates the endemicity of HBV infection in Makurdi and high infectivity rates, suggest that HBV is likely to be acquired by both vertical and horizontal means of transmission. Free screening and immunization of all pregnant women and infants should be incorporated in the antenatal and post natal programmes in hospitals for the eradication of HBV infection among pregnant women.

Keywords
Hepatitis B Virus - Hepatitis B surface antigen - Hepatitis Be antigen - Pregnant Women - Prevalence