title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B markers in pregnant women in Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate hepatitis B serological markers in pregnant women from various geographical sites in Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study of women attending antenatal clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Kenyatta National Hospital and eight hospitals from five provinces in Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  All women in their third trimester of pregnancy attending the antenatal clinic over the period June 2001 to June 2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each pregnant woman age and gestation were documented. Hepatitis serological markers were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2241 pregnant women were enrolled. Among them 205 women (9.3%) were positive for HbsAg and from these 18 (8.8%) were found to have HbeAg. Protective antibodies (anti-HbsAg) were detected in 669 (30.2%) of the women. There were notable significant regional differences for HbsAg rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm the presence of high disease carrier rate and the corresponding previously reported low level of HbeAg suggesting questionable low rate of perinatal transmission but high rate of horizontal transmission.
authors: Virus Research Center, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Okoth
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Mbuthia
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Gatheru
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Murila
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Kanyingi
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Mugo
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Esamai
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Alavi
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Otieno
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Kiambati
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Wanjuki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens