Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, an estimated 254 million are living with HBV infection at the end of 2022. These individuals face a significantly increased risk of developing serious complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. According to the Global Hepatitis Report, HBV caused approximately 1.3 million deaths in 2022 a figure comparable to tuberculosis and second cause of death among communicable disease, after Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Across sub-Saharan Africa, HBV prevalence among pregnant women ranges from 1.75% in Egypt to 9.73% in Nigeria (Larebo et. al, Plos one 19:e0305838, 2024), with some estimates reaching 9–20% in certain regions. With Ethiopia aiming to eliminate mother-to-child transmission by 2030, we need data on pregnant women in places like Babile to plan better interventions. This study measures HBV prevalence and risk factors among pregnant women attending ANC in Babile, aiming to fill this gap. Thus, this study aims to provide sero-prevalence data for HBsAg among pregnant women in the Babile district, to systematically assess associations with a broader set of potential risk factors, andto generate evidences to strengthen antenatal screening, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and relevant policy in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVES: To determine sero-prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Babile district health facilities, Oromia, Eastern Ethiopia from February 26, 2018 to March 20, 2018. METHODS: Health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 pregnant women who were attending antenatal care clinic in Babile district. Trained midwives and lab technicians collected data with a WHO-adapted questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each participants and serum specimens were tested for HBsAg using rapid diagnostic test kits and positive tests were confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). Descriptive statics was computed to describe the percentage, mean and standard deviations of the study variables. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors variables associated with outcome variable. Independent variables with P-value ≤ 0.05 declared statistical significant and adjusted odd ratio were used to report the effect size. RESULT: This study indicated that the overall sero-prevalence of HBV among pregnant mother in the current study area was 7.85% (95% CI, 5.0, 11.5). After adjusting for all potential cofounder using multivariable analysis previous History of having blood transfusion (AOR 4.75, 95%CI 1.19, 18.92), having any surgical procedures (AOR 5.21, 95%CI (1.48, 18.35), having traditional cutting of tonsil/uvula and family history of hepatitis (AOR 5.82, 95%CI 1.63, 20.75) were become independent predictors of HBV infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women is high-intermediate endemic area according to the WHO classification criteria. This study implies that HBV infection is a serious public health problem in Babile district. Having history of Blood transfusion, any surgical procedure, family history of hepatitis and history of traditional cutting of tonsillectomy were independent factors significantly associated with HBV infection among the study participants.