Open Access Research

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia and its effects on hematological parameters in pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria

Olatunji M Kolawole1*, Abideen A Wahab2, Daniel A Adekanle3, Timothy Sibanda1 and Anthony I Okoh1

Author Affiliations

1 Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

2 Department of Biological Sciences, Osun State University, P.M.B 4494, Osogbo, Nigeria

3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

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Virology Journal 2012, 9:317 doi:10.1186/1743-422X-9-317

Published: 27 December 2012

Abstract

Background

The transmission of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is parenteral, sexual and perinatal. Prevention of vertical transmission of HBV is extremely important because HBV infection in early life usually results in a chronic carrier State.

Methods

A descriptive seroepidemiological study of hepatitis B virus and its effects on hematological parameters was investigated in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. 200 venous samples were subjected to full blood count and its sera were subjected to enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of surface antigen of hepatitis B virus.

Results

Prevalence rate of 16.5% was obtained for hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant women. The highest HBsAg prevalence rate recorded was 23.3% for pregnant women between aged 30–34 years while the lowest recorded was zero percent for those aged greater than 40 years. RBC, WBC, neutrophil, hemoglobin lymphocyte and platelet counts have no significant effects on HBsAg positivity of pregnant women (p = 0.801). There was no significant difference in HBsAg positivity in relation to maternal age, gravidity, gestational age, family type, level of education and occupation (p = 0.073). Among the potential risk factors, there was significant difference in HBsAg positivity in the pregnant women in relation to their history of HBV vaccination (p = 0.039).

Conclusions

We advocate universal free screening of pregnant women as the endemicity of HBV infections is thus being propagated.

Keywords:
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Hematological parameters; Risk factors