Women's Health (Jul 2021)

Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study

  • 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,
  • Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna,
  • Emeka Philip Igbodike,
  • Ifeanyi Kingsley Nwaeju,
  • Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai,
  • Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi,
  • Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/17455065211031718
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17

Abstract

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Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-hepatitis C virus testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed hepatitis C virus positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Participants were evaluated for risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% confidence interval = 38.2%–60.5%) were aware of hepatitis C virus infection and awareness of hepatitis C virus was associated with young age (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.16–4.21), high educational level (odds ratio = 3.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.63–6.64), and participants’ occupation (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26–0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of hepatitis C virus and participants’ young age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–2.35; p = 0.018) and high educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.86; p = 0.001) remained significant. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%–4.5%). All (100.0%, 95% confidence interval = 12.1%–100.0%) the hepatitis C virus-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95% confidence interval = 51.3%–76.8%) hepatitis C virus-negative participants had identifiable hepatitis C virus risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-hepatitis C virus/anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B surface antigen each accounted for 0.6%. The most identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), and blood transfusion (11.3%). There was no significant association between the risk factors and hepatitis C virus positive status. Conclusion: Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria is low and those aware are positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify antenatal routine screening.