Sero-prevalence of hepatitis c virus infection in pregnant women in Benin-City, Edo-State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C Virus causes chronic liver disease worldwide and also an important cause of acute hepatitis and jaundice in pregnancy, with serious complications. Viral hepatitis C, (HCV) during pregnancy is associated with high risk of maternal complications and is a leading cause of fetal death. Some pregnant women may not be aware of their HCV status.
Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in pregnant women in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria.
Methods: This study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Central hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital for Women and Children. Two hundred apparently healthy pregnant women that gave consent were recruited for the research. Serum from four milliliters of venous blood was used for the test, Biopanda HCV Rapid Test strip, a qualitative membrane based immunoassay for the detection of antibodies to HCV was used for this research. Data obtained were analysed using IBM SPSS version 24.0.
Results: Prevalence of 35.4% was recorded among pregnant women in Benin-city. Ages 31-40 years had the highest prevalence of infection. There was no association between prevalence of HCV infection and educational status (p=0.211). There was also no statistical significance relationship between the prevalence of HCV and history blood transfusion.
Conclusion: the data obtained from this study shows that there is high prevalence of HCV among pregnant women in Benin-city which therefore provides additional burden of disease in Edo state, Nigeria.