title: RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION DURING PREGNANCY IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and possible risk factors in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional serological survey of women attending antenatal clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five antenatal clinics in Aba, South Eastern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight hundred and ten consecutive and consenting antenatal clinic attendees over the period 15 June-15 November 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each pregnant woman, the medical and sociodemographic data were documented. Hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty two (2.7%) of the 810 subjects were found to be HBsAg seropositive and asymptomatic. Maternal age, parity, educational level attained, marital status, history of blood transfusion, intravenous drug use, tattooing, jaundice in the past and Human Immunodeficiency Virus seropositivity did not show any association with HBsAg sseropositivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBsAg seropositive women in the study were asymptomatic and showed no associationwith the medical and sociodemographic characteristics examined. These findings affirm the recommendation for universal HBsAg screening in pregnancy and imply that screening on the basis of the presence of risk factors alone may be insufficient.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 7004, Aba, Nigeria.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Onwere
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Chigbu
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Aluka
authors: C I
authors: CI
authors: Kamanu
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Okoro
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Ndukwe
authors: C O
authors: CO
authors: Ndukwe
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Onwere
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens