Browsing by Author "Teshome, Bethelhem"
Item Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Mother-to-Child Transmission and Associated Risk Factors among Mothers Attending Gambella Health Facilities, South-Western Ethiopia(Addis Ababa University, 2025-06) Teshome, Bethelhem; Berhe, Nega( PhD); Feleke, Aklilu (PhD); Johannssen, Asgeir(PhD); Desalegn, Hailemichael (PhD)According to World Health Organization, about 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B virus. More than 254 million people live with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection worldwide. Most individuals with chronic HBV infection contracted the virus during perinatal period or early childhood. Infected perinatal mothers serve as a reservoir for the virus. Hepatitis B is a global public health problem, particularly in Ethiopia where the burden of the disease is compounded by high mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rates. However there was no data on MTCT in Gambella. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus, mother-to-child transmission and associated risk factors among mothers attending Expanded Program on Immunization clinics at health facilities in Gambella, South-Western Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 350 mothers selected using systematic random sampling method. Data on socio-demography and associated risk factors were collected using structured questionnaire. Mothers were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and then positive mothers were assessed for Hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) and viral load (VL). Exposed infants were tested for HBsAg and viral load at 9-15 months of age and a positive result for either were to be taken as evidence of MTCT. Data analysis was done using STATA version 20. The overall HBsAg seroprevalence among mothers was 7.4% (95% Confidence Interval: 5.1%-10.7%). History of abortion (AOR=3.5; 95% CI: 1.2-10.4; P=0.026), history of multiple sexual partner (AOR=5.5; 95% CI: 1.7-17.8; P=0.004) and having family member infected with HBV (AOR=3.7; 95% CI: 1.3-10.9; P=0.02) were factors significantly associated with seroprevalence of HBV infection. The prevalence of MTCT was 0% with 96.2% HBeAg negative CHB and maternal VL ranging between <10 and 15,000 IU/ml. Gambella has intermediate seroprevalence of HBV among mothers. Almost all infected mothers had chronic hepatitis B with negative HBeAg and low viral load predominance. Therefore, HBV screening should be strengthened. Mothers sould be encouraged to receive the hepatitis B. Safe and comprehensive abortion care should be provided to all mothers in need. Provision of health education about HBV and its preventive methods is inevitable. Further molecular characterization should be conducted.