Frequency and Determinants of Hepatitis B and C Infections Among Pregnant Women: A Study in Healthcare Facilities of Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Persistent hepatitis B (PHB) virus infection poses a recognized risk to worldwide well-being. CHB spread via contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. Presently, the primary method of transmission persists as transmission from mother to new born (vertical transmission) or from mother to child or between children (horizontal transmission). However, insufficient sterilization of medical tools and the use of tainted blood products also persist as significant means of transmission, particularly in less affluent nations.

Objective: To determine frequency of Hepatitis B and C infections among pregnant women: A study in healthcare facilities of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: The research was carried out as a cross-sectional with 300 participants were selected for this study which included age between 18-45 years. Classical venipuncture techniques were used to draw the blood samples at Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital. This study was accomplished approximately in 8 - 12 months after approval of synopsis. Subjects were pregnant women age between 18-45 years. Data was collected through questionnaire. Participants were given a consent form outlining the study's objectives. Upon consent, each participant provided demographic details such as name, age, gender, and personal information. 3 milliliters of venous blood was carefully drawn from the anterior cubital vein of the patients using aseptic techniques and placed into BD plain/gel vials. Each vial was accurately labeled with the patient's name and laboratory number for proper identification. IBM SPSS Statistics software version 23.0 was utilized for analyzing the measurement data.

Results: 45 participants were in the age group of 18-25, 117 participants were in the age group of 26-30, 129 were in the age group of 31-35 and 9 were above the age of 36. 83 participants had 1-3 pregnancies, 192 had 4-6 pregnancies, 23 had 7-8 pregnancies, 23 had 7-8 pregnancies while only 2 had more than 8 pregnancies. 213 participants had 1-3 vaginal deliveries, 73 participants had 4-6 vaginal deliveries and only 14 participants had 7-8 vaginal deliveries. Current study concluded that that there is a significant association between residing in rural areas and having Hep B and C as p-value is 0.001. This association may also be the result of same sample size in both groups, as we know that 30 participants were diagnosed with Hep B and C and rural residence number was also nearly same.

Conclusion: This study concluded that 233 participants were never diagnosed with hepatitis B and C, 37 participants were not sure about this, while only 30 participants were diagnosed with hepatitis B and C. Also, there is a significant association between having Hep B and C with residence in rural areas, blood transfusions, family history and undergoing a surgery in the past.