Sero-Surveillance and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus among Pregnant Women in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria
Alkali Bello Rabiu
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu DanFodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Ottah Chidinma May
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Shuaibu Abdulmalik Bello *
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu DanFodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Abubakar Firdausi Ibrahim
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Audu Musa
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria
Aisha Bello
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Bello Mukhtar
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Maternal infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can lead to chronic infection in the neonate, and the risk depends on her status of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). This study aimed at determining the sero-surveillance of HBV among pregnant women in Sokoto, Nigeria. Blood samples from 93 pregnant women were tested for the HBV using Immunochromatographic Methods (Aria, USA) and seropositive samples evaluated for TNF-alpha and ALT. Questionnaires were administered to get socio-demographic information.
Statistical Analysis: SPSS ® statistical software.
Results: The HBV seroprevalence was17.2% for HBsAg.
Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HBsAg was 17.2%. Elevated TNF-alpha level and ALT level were associated with HBV infection. Therefore, screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B is necessary to identify the neonates at risk.
Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody