*Aliu, O. O., Fowotade, A., and Omoruyi, C. E.
Department of Medical Microbiology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: aliu_my2004@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public‑health concern. Antenatal screening identifies maternal infection and enables interventions to prevent mother‑to‑child transmission. We assessed the prevalence and predictors of prior HBV screening among pregnant women attending three primary health centres in southwest Nigeria.
Methodology: This was a cross‑sectional survey of 289 pregnant women consecutively enrolled at the antenatal clinics of the three selected health centres. A standardized questionnaire was interviewer-administered to each participant to collect information on socio‑demographic characteristics, previous HBV screening and behavioral and healthcare‑ factors related to HBV screening. Data were analysed using SPSS. Associations of factors with prior HBV screening were determined using Chi‑square and multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted Odd ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: Overall, 31.0% of participants reported previous HBV screening. Prevalence of previous HBV screening was significantly associated with age, with highest in the 35–39-year age group (AOR≈6.40, p<0.001), previous hospitalization (AOR≈2.3, p=0.010) and receipt of clotting factors (AOR≈7.6, p=0.028). Education, occupation, marital status and trimester of pregnancy were not significant predictors.
Conclusion: Antenatal HBV screening coverage was suboptimal in the study. Healthcare touchpoints especially prior admissions and late‑pregnancy visits offer opportunities to scale screening. Programs should target women with hospitalization history or coagulation treatment to strengthen HBV prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT).
Keywords: Hepatitis B, pregnancy, antenatal care, screening, southwest Nigeria
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