Abstract:

Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis, and co-infections among antenatal women in National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS are a major public health concern owing to both their prevalence and propensity to affect offspring through vertical transmission.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), syphilis, and co-infections among antenatal women in National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A two (2) years retrospective study of antenatal women that attended National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria from 1^st March, 2013 to 28^th February, 2015. A pretested data extraction form was used to obtain data on socio-demographic variables and screening test results from the antenatal records. The analysis was conducted using SPSS version 17 (Chicago, IL, USA).

Results: A total of 3748 antenatal records was used for the study. The seroprevalence of HIV, HCV, HBsAg and syphilis among the pregnant women were 7.9 %( 296/3748), 4.7 %( 176/3748), 10.6 %( 397/3748) and 1.1 %( 41/3748), respectively. The HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV and HIV/Syphilis co-infection prevalence rates were 0.24 %( 9/3748), 0.13 %( 5/3748) and 0.05 %( 2/3748) respectively. There was no HBC and HCV co-infection among both HIV positive and negative antenatal women. There was statistically significant difference in HBV and HCV infection between the HIV positive and negative antenatal women.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis is still a challenge in Abuja. Community health education is urgently require to reduce the prevalence of these infections among the most productive and economically viable age bracket. Our study showed that it is very necessary/important for all pregnant women to be requested to test for HBV, HCV alongside the conventional syphilis and HIV infections, in order to prevent vertical transmission to their unborn babies.

Preceptor/location of project: National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria.

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