SERO PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV) INFECTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN OF DISTRICT BANNU KP, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is globally endemic throughout the world, with over 2 billion infected cases while 4.5 million are newly infected each year including about 2.4% from Pakistan. HBV is considered to be the primary cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There are 10% chances of parental transmission in acute phase but the infection rate in neonates is greater about 60%. Pakistan is at high risk of infection and 3% are chronic cases in which majority of cases are hospitalized and the rate of infection is raising day by day. The current research work was conducted in District Bannu to identify the rate of infection of HBV in pregnant women. A total of 636 samples were collected from pregnant women having age between 20–50 years. They were screened for HBsAg by ICT (Immuno chromate graphic test). Out of total 636 samples, 89.1% (567) were negative for HBV infection and 10.8% (69) were sero positive for HBV infection. The highest rate of infection was found in patients of age group of 36-40 years. The main risk factors observed were tattooing/piercing, dental surgery, general surgery, reuse of syringes, drug addiction, blood donation and organ transplantation. Lack of proper blood screening facilities in district Bannu and the lack of awareness about the possible routes of transmission of HBV are contributing a great deal toward the spread of infection among the pregnant women. Proper sterilization and screening procedure must be made to avoid a far bigger threat of more HBV infection in near future. Government should implement the law and check the unqualified health care working in different parts of the district