Prevalence and Risk actors of Hepatitis B Infection in Pregnant Women at the Prenatal Clinic

Perinatal transmission remains to be the leading cause of spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in pregnant subjects seeking prenatal care and to determine the sociodemographic data and associated factors for hepatitis B in this population. Prospective Study. Among 768 patients, the prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity was 9.6%. Among these, 11 were HBeAg positive (15.9%). HBsAg positive subjects compared with HBsAg negative subjects, tend to be older (p= 0.016), married (p= 0.0032), have multiple pregnancies (p = 0.0157), and have history of spontaneous abortion (p = 0.0458). The odds of having hepatitis B infection increased by 5% for every 1 year increase in age. It was 2.22 times higher among married compared to single subjects; 1.83 times higher among those with history of abortion compared with those without; and 2.00 times higher among those with multiple (>3) pregnancies than those with fewer pregnancies. Prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity in pregnant women in PGH remains to be high despite screening guidelines and nationwide HBV vaccination. The prevention and control of HBV infection among women of childbearing age should be a priority of public health intervention.