Abstract:
Pregnant women are a specific target group to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) due to the risk of
vertical transmission of the infection, which occurs usually in the prenatal period and is
the major cause of HBV transmission. The aim of the study was to determine Seroprevalence
of Hepatitis B virus among pregnant women attended Omdurman Maternity
Hospital clinic.A total of ninety subjects (n=90) were enrolled in this study. A local
antiseptic (70% ethanol) was used to clean the skin. Venous blood (3mLs) were taken
from each participant by standard procedures and put in plain containers to clot then
centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 minutes and serum was obtained and kept at -20˚C until
used. The serum samples were examined by ELISA to detect HBsAg and HBcAb.One
out of 90(1.1%) pregnant women was found HBsAg positive and 6 out of 90 (6.7%)
pregnant women were showedHBcAb positive.All women who gave a positive result
they were from urban area and there was no case from the rural. Out of total 6 positive
result for HBcAb3(50%) of them between the ages26-34 years. In addition to the total
number of abortion 35 only 2(5.7%) gave a positive result for HBcAb and no abortion in
HBsAg positive case. The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women
attending Omdurman Maternity clinics did not exceed the estimated nationwide
prevalence. However, that not means to ignore this low prevalence and giving special
attention to the prevention ofoutbreak of hepatitis B.
