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January 2013 Vol. 2
Issue 1
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Pondei K
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Global Advanced Research Journal
of Medicine and Medical Sciences (GARJMMS) ISSN: 2315-5159
January 2013 Vol. 2(1), pp.
006-012
Copyright © 2013 Global Advanced
Research Journals
Full Length Research Paper
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The Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen
and anti-hepatitis C antibody among women attending
antenatal clinic at a tertiary health facility in
the Niger Delta of Nigeria
Kemebradikumo Pondei1* and Isa Ibrahim2
1Department
of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Medical
Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta
University, Amassoma, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa
State, Nigeria.
2Department
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Clinical
Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta
University, Amassoma, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa
State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding
author E-mail:
kemepondei@hotmail.com; Tel: +2348030940882
Accepted 28 January, 2013
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Abstract |
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Asymptomatic Hepatitis B and C infections are common
and when occuring in pregnancy can be transmitted to
the newborn. To determine the sero-prevalence rates
of asymptomatic Hepatitis B and C infections among
pregnant women. 300 pregnant women attending
antenatal clinic were consecutively recruited for
study. Demographic and past clinical histories were
obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples from
each study subject were tested using
third-generation enzyme immunoassay kits for
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies
against Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B surface antigen
prevalence was 3.67% (95% CI: 1.55 - 5.79) whilst
anti-Hepatitis C antibody prevalence was 1.33% (95%
CI: 0.04 - 2.62). 80% of the subjects with either
Hepatitis B or C infections (12 out of 15) had
traditional scarification marks on their bodies,
66.7% had undergone at least one previous
termination of pregnancy, 26.7% had tattoos, 6.67%
had previous blood transfusions, and 26.7% had
undergone at least one surgical operation. However,
none of the suspected risk factors had a significant
relationship with hepatitis infection. Asymptomatic
Hepatitis B and C infections are present in pregnant
women. Routine screening of pregnant women for HBV
and HCV should be instituted in order to detect
infection early and prevent or reduce vertical or
perinatal transmission.
Keywords:
Hepatitis, pregnancy, risk factor, ante-natal
screening
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