| Autor: |
Ndako, James A., Echeonwu, Georgebest ON., Nwankiti, Obinna O., Onovoh, Emamuzou M., Jah, Alloysius U., Shidali, Nathaniel N., Ikani, Patrick A. |
| Zdroj: |
Microbiology Research; 2012, Vol. 3 Issue 1, p42-45, 4p, 5 Charts, 4 Graphs |
| Abstrakt: |
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to cause serious health problems in developing countries. Neonatal infection with HBV, which is often acquired during delivery, carries a high risk resulting in persistent infection. This research aims to detect the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women in our location of study. One hundred and eighty (180) sera samples were screened among pregnant women aged 13-49, using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Structured questionnaire were administered to the subjects to obtain demographic and other relevant data. Overall result showed that 31 (17.2%) were found to be positive for HBsAg among the total subjects screened. The highest prevalence was found among those aged 20-29 with 11 (6.1%) seropositivity (c 2=7.902; P=0.048). Conside - ring occupational distribution of volunteer subjects, a high prevalence of 12 (6.7%); P<0.05 was recorded among house wives, which shows a measure of significance compared to other women screened. Furthermore, based on various risk factors subjects with history of surgery and use of unsterilized sharp instruments recorded 15 (8.3%) prevalence (P=0.233; P>0.05). How ever, women in their second trimester of pregnancy recorded a higher prevalence of 23 (12.8%):(P=0.080; P<0.05). This study therefore emphasizes the public health importance of HBV among pregnant women and equally suggests that children born to women with Hepatitis B Virus, be closely monitored for infection beyond the one and the half years of age, this also calls for a proper enlightenment on the dangers posed by the virus, while a well designed vaccination schedule is advocated among the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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