A HIGH PREVALENCE OF HBV AND HCV INFECTIONS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN: A PROSPECTIVE CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Main Article Content
Keywords
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, pregnant women health, risk factors of viral hepatitis, diagnostic associations of viral hepatitis, CBC, BSR, PCR, hepatitis B & C in pregnant women
Abstract
Background: Due to lack of published data from AJ and K state of Pakistan, it is challenging to gain insight into hepatitis B and C prevalence in pregnant women. This research was conducted in an effort to close this knowledge gap and provide the groundwork for future investigations.
Methods: Hepatitis B and C were tested in pregnant women using immuno-chromatographic test and Polymerase Chain Reaction. Blood sugar, LFTs, blood count, risk factors, and knowledge level were also evaluated.
Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among pregnant women was found to be 5.2% and 6.4%, respectively. The higher rate of hepatitis B was found in the third trimester and hepatitis C was found in the second trimester. The knowledge level of the participants was less than 20% about viral hepatitis B and C. There were significant associations of hospitalization history (p=0.0003), blood transfusion (p<0.0001), treatment from quacks (p<0.0001), high WBCs (p<0.0001), and low Platelets (p<0.0001) count with hepatitis B and C positivity. However, a higher ALT level (p<0.0001) was only correlated with Anti-HCV prevalence and there was no association of blood sugar level with hepatitis B and C.
Conclusion: The risk of vertical transmission of HBV and HCV exists in the studied population. Comprehensive treatment of pregnant women for hepatitis B and C, along with HBV vaccination for neonates, is essential to prevent the further spread of these infections.
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Abdul Rauf
Department of Zoology (Virology Group), King Abdullah Campus, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad.
Muqaddas Tahir
Department of Zoology, King Abdullah Campus, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Humaira Abid
King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan.
Fahad Alshahrani
Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Postal code 11481, P.O. Box. 3643.
Muhammad Zahid Latif
Community Medicine/ Public Health, Department of Medical Education, Director PGME Post Graduate Medical Education, Superior University Lahore, Pakistan.
Mohammed Merae Alshahrani
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, 1988, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed Abdullah Al Awadh
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, 1988, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia.
Nawal E Al-Hazmi
Department of Chemistry, Division of Biology (Microbiology), University College of Qunfudah, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulfattah Omar
Department of English, Faculty of Arts, Port Said University, Egypt.
Tasleem Akhtar
Department of Zoology, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJ&K, Pakistan.
Syed Ayaz Kazmi
Department of Zoology, King Abdullah Campus, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Zeeshan Anjum
Department of Biotechnology, Main Campus, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Iqra Bibi
Department of Zoology, King Abdullah Campus, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Zia-ur-Rehman
Department of Orthopaedics and Spine, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Zahoor Iqbal
School of Artificial Intelligence, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, PR China.