[Factors associated with hepatitis B infection in pregnant women at health facilities in the health district of Mokolo/Far North of Cameroon].

INTRODUCTION

perinatal transmission of hepatitis B is responsible for more than one third of cases of viral hepatitis in highly endemic regions. The purpose of this study was to analyse factors associated with hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in the health district of Mokolo/Far North of Cameroon.

METHODS

a cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2020 to January 2021. Seven hundred ninety-four consenting pregnant women were selected using quota sampling and convenience sampling in seven health facilities in the health district of Mokolo. Socio-demographic data were collected as well patients´ medical history. Tests to detect hepatitis B serological markers and co-infections (human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis C) were performed. The degree of association with carriage of HbsAg was investigated using the 5% significance level.

RESULTS

after multivariate logistic regression analysis, educational level (OR=1.58; 95% CI=1.08-2.30; p=0.019), partner´s work (OR=4.07; 95% CI=1.33-12.53; p = 0.024), first trimester of pregnancy (OR=2.38; 95% CI=1.12-5.04; p = 0.024) and syphilis serology (OR=3.27; 95% CI=1.29-8.28; p=0.012) were identified as major risk factors. HBsAg seroprevalence was 18.4% (95% CI=15.9-21.3) with HBsAg positivity of 13.7% (95% CI=7.5-19.9) in the health district of Mokolo.

CONCLUSION

in agreement with the literature, this study showed several factors associated with hepatitis B during pregnancy. Some factors such as « unspecified » partner´s work and positive syphilis serology were specific results of this study, but should be confirmed.