Abstract:
Background: Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem affecting billions of people globally with maternal-fetal
transmission on the rise.
Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis
C virus (HCV) infections among pregnant women in the Asante Akim North Municipality, in the Ashanti region of Ghana.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study 168 pregnant women were recruited from the Agogo Presbyterian hospital. Blood
samples were collected for the detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. A pretested
questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and identify the risk factors associated with the two infections.
Results: Of the 168 participants studied, 16 (9.5%) tested positive for HBV and 13 (7.7%) tested positive for HCV repre-
senting 9.5% and 7.7% respectively. A participant tested positive for both HBV and HCV co-infection representing 0.6%.
Undertaking blood transfusion, tattooing and sharing of needles were associated with hepatitis C infection (P=0.001). HBV
was not associated with any of the risk factors (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among pregnant women; blood transfu-
sion, tattooing and sharing of hypodermic needles were associated with hepatitis C infection. Measures to reduce the disease
and transmission burden must be introduced.
