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Background <p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where transmission occurs through exposure to infected blood and body fluids, sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission. Chronic HBV infection can result in cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and premature mortality. Evidence on the prevalence of HBV infection and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia, particularly in the Eastern Zone of Tigray, remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in public hospitals in the Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.</p> Methods <p>An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 536 pregnant women attending antenatal care in four public hospitals in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia, from January 1 to March 31, 2025. Hospitals and study participants were selected using simple random and systematic sampling techniques, respectively. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Hepatitis B virus infection status was determined using a single rapid hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test (ABON™ Rapid Test), without ELISA or molecular (HBV DNA) confirmation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with HBV infection. Statistical significance was declared at <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05.</p> Results <p>All 536 eligible pregnant women participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 100%. The mean age of participants was 27.9 ± 5.9 years (range: 16–48 years). The prevalence of HBV infection was 7.8%. Factors significantly associated with HBV infection were women aged ≥ 30 years (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.21–6.10), a history of multiple sexual partners (AOR = 16.12; 95% CI: 5.26–49.47), a history of hospital admission (AOR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.92–15.32), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 5.42; 95% CI: 1.92–15.34).</p> Conclusion <p>The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women attending ANC services in public hospitals of the Eastern Zone of Tigray was 7.8%, indicating a high-intermediate level of endemicity. HBV infection remains a public health concern among pregnant women in the study area. Strengthening routine antenatal HBV screening and appropriate linkage to care and vaccination, enhancing infection prevention measures, and providing targeted health education may be recommended to reduce the burden of HBV infection among pregnant women and their infants.</p>

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Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public hospitals of the Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Alem Gebretsadik,
  • Gebremedhin Gebreegziabiher

摘要

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where transmission occurs through exposure to infected blood and body fluids, sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission. Chronic HBV infection can result in cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and premature mortality. Evidence on the prevalence of HBV infection and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia, particularly in the Eastern Zone of Tigray, remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence of HBV infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in public hospitals in the Eastern Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 536 pregnant women attending antenatal care in four public hospitals in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia, from January 1 to March 31, 2025. Hospitals and study participants were selected using simple random and systematic sampling techniques, respectively. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Hepatitis B virus infection status was determined using a single rapid hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test (ABON™ Rapid Test), without ELISA or molecular (HBV DNA) confirmation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with HBV infection. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05.

Results

All 536 eligible pregnant women participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 100%. The mean age of participants was 27.9 ± 5.9 years (range: 16–48 years). The prevalence of HBV infection was 7.8%. Factors significantly associated with HBV infection were women aged ≥ 30 years (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.21–6.10), a history of multiple sexual partners (AOR = 16.12; 95% CI: 5.26–49.47), a history of hospital admission (AOR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.92–15.32), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 5.42; 95% CI: 1.92–15.34).

Conclusion

The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women attending ANC services in public hospitals of the Eastern Zone of Tigray was 7.8%, indicating a high-intermediate level of endemicity. HBV infection remains a public health concern among pregnant women in the study area. Strengthening routine antenatal HBV screening and appropriate linkage to care and vaccination, enhancing infection prevention measures, and providing targeted health education may be recommended to reduce the burden of HBV infection among pregnant women and their infants.