Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C viral infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in pregnancy, coupled with high viral load, increase the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Additionally, the genotypes of HBV and HCV involved determine the course of infection and response to treatment. The study aimed to determine the prevalence, circulating genotypes, and risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Western Region, Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic data, participants’ knowledge of HBV and HCV, and risk factors associated with HBV and HCV infection. Venous blood was collected from 200 participants to test for HBsAg and anti-HCV IgM and IgG using rapid diagnostic test kits. HBsAg- and anti-HCV-positive samples were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and nested PCR and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis were used to detect genotypes. Overall, 19 (9.5%) were HBsAg/HBV-DNA-positive. The common HBV genotypes detected were A (68.4%), E (10.4%), and D (5.3%). None of the participants tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies (IgM and IgG). Most participants (75.5%) had poor knowledge of HCV, and 46.5% had moderate knowledge of HBV. The results also showed a statistically significant association between HBV infection and multiple sexual partners (p = 0.01; AOR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.27–3.74) using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The study identified a high prevalence of HBV among the pregnant women (9.5%), with genotype A being the most common in the Western part of Ghana.