title: Risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria, and the possible implications for hepatitis B prevention in the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1 August 2006 and 31 January 2007, risk factors for hepatitis B infection were determined amongst pregnant women using a structured questionnaire. The women were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as part of routine antenatal care. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out using logistic regression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1,052 women attending the antenatal clinic, 6.08% (n = 64) were positive for HBsAg. A total of 61 HBsAg positive and 183 negative controls were interviewed. The significant risk factors for HBV infection were an early age of sexual debut below 19 years (adjusted OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.44-5.40; p = 0.0023); history of multiple sexual partners (adjusted OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.02-3.98; p = 0.0427); and past history of sexually transmitted infection (adjusted OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.15-5.90; p = 0.0214). Of the HBsAg positive women, 45 (73.77%) had at least one of these risk factors while 91 (49.73%) of the controls had at least one risk factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening pregnant for hepatitis B infection on the basis of risk factors may not be effective. Education on modification of lifestyle and sexual behavior as well as non-selective screening of pregnant women for HBV infection is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. derabs@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Kabiru A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rabiu
authors.forename: Oluwarotimi I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Akinola
authors.forename: Adeniyi A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adewunmi
authors.forename: Olufemi M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Omololu
authors.forename: Temitope O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Ojo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens