Hepatitis B Serological Markers and Risk Factors among Pregnant Women and Prospective Blood Donors in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B control, especially among pregnant women and prospective blood donors, in the developing world is still a disease that must be given attention considering its mortality and morbidity rates.

Methods: This study was conducted among 153 subjects including pregnant women and prospective blood donors using appropriate hepatitis B serological marker ELISA kits (WANTAI, China) for each marker.

Results: Among the subjects screened, 38 had at least one of the markers. Among those that showed no detectable HBsAg were 2 prospective blood donors with HBeAg and another 6 prospective blood donors and 2 pregnant women with HBcAb-IgM detected in them all indicating an ongoing infection and replication of hepatitis B virus. Sexual activities were found to be of statistical significance in the study.

Conclusion: It is imperative to give more attention to control of HBV spread through more sex education and administration of vaccination.