High prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care: a cross-sectional study in two hospitals in northern Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine the prevalence of the hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two referral hospitals in northern Uganda.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

Two tertiary hospitals in a postconflict region in a low-income country.

Participants

Randomly selected 402 pregnant women attending routine antenatal care in two referral hospitals. Five women withdrew consent for personal reasons. Data were analysed for 397 participants.

Primary outcome

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity.

Results

Of 397 pregnant women aged 13-43 years, 96.2% were married or cohabiting. 47 (11.8%) tested positive for HBsAg; of these, 7 (14.9%) were HBe

SUBMITTER: Bayo P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4244481 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature