TY  - JOUR
T1  - Hepatitis B Virus Sero-Prevalence among Pregnant Females in Northern Nigeria
AU - Ndako, J.A. AU - Echeonwu, G.O.N. AU - Nwankiti, O.O. AU - Onovoh, E.M. AU - Ujah, A. AU - Ikani, P.A. AU - Paul, G.A. 
JO  - Research Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
SP  - 129
EP  - 133
PY  - 2012
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9346
DO  - rjmsci.2012.129.133
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjmsci.2012.129.133
KW  - Pregnant women
KW  -HBsAg
KW  -seroprevalence
KW  -vaccination
KW  -Hepatitis B virus
AB  - Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) continues to cause serious health problems in developing countries. Neonatal infection with HBV which is often acquired during delivery, carries a high risk resulting in persistent infection. This research aims to detect the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women in the location of study. About 180 sera samples were screened among pregnant women aged 13-49 using Standard ELISA Method. Structured questionnaire were administered to the subjects to obtain demographic and other relevant data. Overall result showed that 31 (17.2%) were found to be positive for HBsAg among the total subjects screened. The highest prevalence was found among those aged 20-29 with 11(6.1%) seropositivity (&#967;<SUP>2</SUP> = 7.902; p-value = 0.048). Considering occupational distribution of volunteer subjects, a high prevalence of 12 (6.7%), p&lt;0.05 was recorded among house wives which shows a measure of significance compared to other women screened. Furthermore, based on various risk factors subjects with history of surgery and use of unsterilized sharp instruments recorded 15 (8.3%) prevalence (p-value 0.233; p&gt;0.05). However, women in their second trimester of pregnancy recorded a higher prevalence of 23 (12.8%: (p-value 0.080; p&lt;0.05)). This study therefore emphasizes the public health importance of HBV among pregnant women and equally suggests that children born to women with Hepatitis B virus be closely monitored for infection beyond the one and the half years of age this also calls for a proper enlightenment on the dangers posed by the virus while a well designed vaccination schedule is advocated among the general populace.
ER  -