Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus in Pregnant Women in Pointe-Noire

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the epidemiological profile of HBV infection in women pregnant in Pointe-Noire. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Pointe-Noire over a 6-month period. The study concerned pregnant women received in antenatal care in some hospitals in the city. Screening for HBsAg was performed using two tests, namely the HbsAg immunochromatographic test and the fourth generation ELISA. The socio-demographic factors of the study population as well as the risk factors for transmission of the virus were studied. Results: During the study, 150 pregnant women were enrolled. The average age was 27.22 +/6.10 years old. The most represented age group was 25 to 35 years old. The majority of women were common-law, had a college-level education, were unemployed and consulted from the second trimester of pregnancy. Scarification was the most important risk factor in 52% of cases. Immunization coverage was low, around 3.33%. The frequency of HBsAg was 2.67%. Infection predominated in scarified women, women in middle school, and women in common-law unions. However, no significant difference was found between this biological marker and the study variables.