Dr. Shabana Kalsoom, Senior Registrar Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
Nawaz Sharif Medical College Gujrat, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Objectives: to determine the seroprevalence and potential risk factors for hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among pregnant women.
Study Design: cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration: it was carried out from 1 Jan 2014 to 31st May 2014 at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Gujrat affiliated with Nawaz Sharif Medical College Gujrat.
Methodology: One thousand and thirty women, who attended the outpatient department for antenatal care, were included in the study. A proforma was filled by the attending doctor and blood sample was taken for screening of HBV, HCV and HIV by ELISA Technique at the first antenatal visit. Data was analyzed by statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.
Results: Out of the 1030 women screened 109 (10.57%) were found to be positive for these viral infections, 26 (2.5%) for Hepatitis B virus, 63 (6.1%) for hepatitis C virus, 18 (1.7%) for human immunodeficiency virus and 2 (0.2%) had more than one infection. Among the sociodemographic factors education and residence had no effect on disease prevalence. Hepatitis C was more prevalent in multiparous women (n=53).Risk factors identified included use of frequent injections (for hepatitis B n=7, for Hepatitis C n=14 and for human immunodeficiency virus n=5), blood transfusion (n=16 for hepatitis C and n=7 for human immunodeficiency virus.) and previous surgery (n=23 for hepatitis C).
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of these viral infections is high. The risk factors included multiparity, frequent use of injections, blood transfusion and surgery.
Keywords: Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, HIV, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Pregnancy.

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