Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women visiting Diamond Maternity clinic from July to December 2020

Abstract

Pregnant women infected with HBV have a high risk of maternal - infant transmission. A cross - sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Diamond Obstetrics and Pediatrics clinic to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and describe characteristics of HBV infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Diamond Obstetrics and Pediatrics clinic. From July to December 2020, a total of 900 pregnant women were enrolled in the study, the mean age was 32 years. Family history of HBV infection accounted for 7.9%, family history of liver cancer and/or cirrhosis accounted for 3.9%. The prevalence of HBV infection in pregnant women accounted for 11.8%. Family history of HBV infection is associated with HBV infection in pregnant women (PR = 6.7; 95% CI = 3.9 - 11.4). The rate of HBeAg positive accounted for 66.1% of the total HBV infections. 56.6% of pregnant women were indicated for motherto-child HBV infection prophylaxis with TDF. HBeAg-negative pregnant women with HBV DNA ≥ 200,000IU/mL accounted for 33.3%. The prevalence of HBV infection in pregnant women is still high, equivalent to the rate of HBV infection in the general population in the highly endemic areas. More than half of pregnant women infected with HBV were indicated TDF to prevent mother – to - child transmission of HBV. Routine HBV screening for pregnant women plays an important role in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV.