Sero-diagnosis of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen among Pregnant Women in Khartoum State

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. There is much data exist concerning HBV during pregnancy in many African countries, but nopublished data are available in Sudan. The objectives of this study were to investigateHBVamong as well as possible risk factors among pregnant women. Blood specimens were collected from pregnant women attended Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Khartoum State. Sera were separated by centrifugation.Participated women were interviewed by pre-structured questionnaire. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique was use todetect of Hepatitis B Virus surface antigen (HBVsAg). Ninety (n=90) pregnant women were participated in this study. The age of the participants ranged from 15 to 45 years old. The mean age was 24 years. Most 56(62.2%) the participants fall in age ranged from 26 to 35 (%). The majority 53 (58.9 %)of the participantswere from Khartoum City, the rest 37 (30.1%) were distributed as follows: Khartoum North 20 (21.8 %), Omdurman 9 (9.8%) and out of Khartoum State 8 (9.5%).Of the investigated women, 59(65.6%) of the werenot vaccinated while 31(34.4%) vaccinated. 77 (85.6%) were house wife and only 12 (14.4%) employees. Study on detection of HBVsAg revealed that 5(5.6%) were positive, and the rest 85(94.4%) were negative. It is concluded that high percentage of pregnant women were infected with HBV. Significant (P< 0.05) relation was noticed between HBV infected and dental manipulation as well as blood transfusion. The study indicated insignificant (p<0.05) association betweenHBV infection and risk factors, including residence, age occupation and gestational age. Further studies with large number of participants are required to validate the result of this study.