SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITS B AND HEPATITIS C VIRUS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS LIVING IN HARAR TOWN, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Infection by Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among mothers have high rate of vertical transmission and horizontal transmission and also have adverse effect on both the mother and the child. Understanding the epidemiology of these viruses could be valuable to take appropriate preventive measures, therefore, this study tried to determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of HBV and HCV among mothers living in Harar town. A cross sectional study was conducted among 461 mothers living in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia from March 1 – May 30, 2017. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants among mothers by using list of mother’s house number. Data xiv was collected by face to face interview using pre tested structured questioners. Five millilitre of venous blood was collected with plain tube from each study subject and serum was tested for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) and ,on combined HCV screening kit,anti-Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (anti HCV Ab) or/and Hepatitis C Virus Antigen (HCV Ag)tested by using Enzyme-linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). Data was analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. The seroprevalence rates for HBV and HCV infection were 5.9 % and 1.1% respectively. None of the mothers were co-infected by HBV and HCV. Among the potential risk factors, previous history of abortion (AOR =3.674 95%CI 1.413-9.549) and multiple sexual exposure (AOR =10.636, 95% CI 4.044-27.975) were significant predictors of HBV infection on multivariate analysis. All of the assessed possible risk factors were not associated with HCV infection. This study showed an intermediate and low prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among mothers respectively. Having history of multiple sexual partner and history of abortion play significant role in the transmission of the HBV.Therefore provision of health information dissemination about the risk factors, the mode of vertical and horizontal transmissions and prevention of these viruses is recommended.