Sero-prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Adigrat General Hospital, Eastern Tigrai, Northern Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common health problems, causing high mortality and heavy economic burden worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Adigrat General Hospital Northern Ethiopia. METHODS Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March, 2024 among 385 pregnant women. Participants were selected through systematic random sampling method. Socio demographic and associated factors data were collected using a structured questionnaire and 5 milliliter blood sample was collected. The data were entered to EPI Info and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were computed. Bivariate and multi-variant regression analysis was employed to measure the association values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The overall sero-prevalence of HBsAg among the 385 study subjects enrolled was 10.4% (n = 40). HBsAg was common in all age groups. The infection was higher those who had history of multiple sexual partner (22.7%),ear-piercing (13.4%), history of abortion (27.6%), history of delivery (26.3%) and history of genital mutilation (35.7%).In multivariate logistic regression being unmarried (AOR 8.57; 95% CI 3.20-22.93) ,being illiterate (AOR 12.06; 95% CI 3.07–47.33) ,history of ear piercing (AOR 5.66; 95% CI 1.65–19.45), history of abortion (AOR 8.16; 95% CI 3.18–20.95), history of home delivery (AOR 6.69; 95% CI 1.26–35.53) and history of genital mutilation (AOR 9.77; 95% CI 2.64–36.18) of acquiring HBV infection compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS The result showed that HBV was highly prevalent in our study area. Being unmarried, Low educational level, ear piercing, abortion, home delivery and genital mutilation were significantly associated with HBV infection. Therefore, this finding suggests that health education programs should be given to the community to raise the awareness of mothers.