1. Awareness and Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: A National Pilot Cross-Sectional Study
- Author
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GEORGE UCHENNA ELEJE, Ayyuba Rabiu, Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu, Godwin Otuodichinma Akaba, Olabisi Morebise Loto, Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, Preye Owen Fiebai, Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu, Ngozi Nneka Joe-Ikechebelu, Chike Henry Nwankwo, Stephen Okoroafor Kalu, Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu, Chukwuanugo Nkemakonam Ogbuagu, Shirley Nneka Chukwurah, Chinwe Elizabeth Uzochukwu, Samuel Oluwagbenga Inuyomi, Bukola Abimbola Adesoji, Uchenna Chukwunonso Ogwaluonye, Ekene Agatha Emeka, Richard Obinwanne Egeonu, Odion Emmanuel Igue, Chiamaka Henrietta Jibuaku, Ogbonna Dennis Okoro, Prince Ogbonnia Aja, Chiamaka Perpetua Chidozie, Hadiza Sani Ibrahim, Fatima Ele Aliyu, Aisha Ismaila Numan, Solace Amechi Omoruyi, Ijeoma Chioma Oppah, Ubong Inyang Anyang, Aishat Ahmed, Osita Samuel Umeononihu, Eric Okechukwu Umeh, Sussan Ifeyinwa Nweje, Ifeoma Clara Ajuba, Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro, Ifeanyi Kingsley Nwaeju, Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna, Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai, Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi, and Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu
- Abstract
Background: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) may constitute one of the viral hepatitis with high burden in Nigeria, there is no national data on its awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for HCV infection among pregnant women in Nigeria.Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-HCV testing by third generation ELISA and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed HCV positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. The women were evaluated for the presence of known risk factors for HCV infection. Odds ratios (ORs), adjusted ORs (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined and p-values of Findings: Of the 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% CI, 38.2% to 60.5%) were aware of HCV infection and awareness of HCV was associated with participants’ young age (OR=2.21; 95%CI=1.16 to 4.21), high educational level (OR=3.29; 95%CI=1.63 to 6.64) and participants’ occupation (OR=0.51; 95%CI=0.26 to 0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of HCV and participants’ young age (aOR=1.60; 95%CI=1.09 to 2.35; p=0.018) and high educational level (aOR=1.48; 95%CI=1.17 to 1.86;p=0.001)remained significant. HCV seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95%CI=0.2% to 4.5%). All (100.0%, 95%CI=12.1 to 100.0%) the HCV-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95%CI=51.3% to 76.8%) HCV-negative participants had identifiable HCV risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-HCV/anti-HIV and anti-HCV/HBsAg each accounted for 1.3% and none of the participants was triply infected or mono-infected with HCV. The more commonly identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners, 25 (15.7%), shared needles, 22 (13.8%), and blood transfusion, 18 (11.3%). The risk factor variables did not have significant association with HCV positive status.Conclusion: There is lack of awareness regarding HCV infection among pregnant women in Nigeria and awareness is positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of HCV is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify routine screening in antenatal clinics. There is also a need for enlightenment programs in communities and antenatal clinics. FundingTETFund National Research Fund 2019 (Grant number TETFund/DR&D/CE/NRF/STI/33).
- Published
- 2021
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