Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maternal haematological status and concurrent blood-borne viral infections play a crucial role in determining pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed haematological profiles and the prevalence of blood-borne viruses among pregnant women attending a tertiary military hospital over a four-year period. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using clinical records of 499 pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Data on demographics, complete blood count, and serology for blood-borne viruses were extracted into a structured proforma. It was analysed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 29. Descriptive statistics were presented using tables and charts. Associations were tested, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 36 ± 2.3 years. Blood group O was most common 245(49.7%), with the least being AB blood group which accounted for 48(9.6%). Haematocrit was lowest in the third trimester (31.21 ± 4.1%, p<0.001), while 1(st) and 2(nd) trimester haematocrits were 33.49±3.4 and 31.73±3.1 respectively. Anaemia was significantly associated with primiparity (p=0.04), HIV infection (p=0.03), and the Hb AS genotype (p=0.01). HIV prevalence was 30 (6.0%) higher than that of hepatitis B 27(5.4%) and Hepatitis C 7(1.4%). CONCLUSION: HIV prevalence (6.0%) was higher than hepatitis B and C, and primiparous women showed significant anaemia with low haematocrit values. These findings call for targeted nutritional support and strengthened antenatal screening for blood-borne viruses to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.