Title: Molecular Detection Of Hepatitis B Virus Amongst Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care At General Hospital Jega And Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
Authors: Bashar Attahiru, Sule Sahabi Manga, Adamu Almustapha Aliero, Jibrin Nathaniel Keta and Ahmad Attahiru.
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 54-62
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
Hepatitis is an aggravation of the liver, the condition can be self-restricted (intense) and can advance to liver cirrhosis (persistent). Infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is open wellbeing issues, which is profoundly endemic within the sub-Saharan Africa nations where Nigeria is found. This research ascertained the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at general hospitals Jega and Aliero, Kebbi State Nigeria. In this study, a total of one hundred and thirteen (113) samples were collected from the studied participants. Out of 113 samples collected, 15 (13.3%) were found to be seropositive for hepatitis B virus by promed HBsAg rapid strip with General Hospital Jega having the highest prevalence 9(7.9%) while General hospital Aliero had the least 6(5.4%). Using conventional quick response hepatitis B combo test kit, the presence of serological markers revealed that eleven (11) were at low level of infectivity (HBsAg), while two (2) were infective/replication form and 2 were low level/acute infection respectively. Furthermore, eight out of fifteen (8/15) samples were further identified using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) out of of which 5 (62.5%) were found to be positives. Therefore, the study's sensitization lectures ought to focus on raising awareness of the hepatitis B virus and its mechanism of transmission, vaccine, and other preventative measures.