Cham AM et al., 

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Hepatitis B Virus disease is a major health problem world-wide which causes annual deaths of about 1-34 million indicating that death toll due to Hepatitis B disease is on the rise. It is an infection of the liver that can be self-limiting or if not treated can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis (scaring) and possibly liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma).

Methods: Cross-sectional study was used to establish the prevalence of HBV infections and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in Juba Teaching Hospital (JTH). The study duration was from June 2017 to October 2017 with study subjects of 127 who successfully completed the interview and screening procedure. The data was collected by face to face interview using pre-tested questionnaires; blood sample was collected from each study subject by fifth year medical students and hospital nurse. This was done using HBsAg test kit.

Results: The data showed that the prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women attending Juba Teaching hospital was 6.3% which is considered to be high-intermediate compared to previous study conducted in Sudan (5.6%). Associated risk factors identified include: age group ranging from 15-34 years, women with history of abortion, low education level and low socio-economic.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV is high among pregnant women attending ANC in JTH as predicted. The major risk factors identified are: reproductive age, poverty, history of abortion and low education level. There is a need for well-equipped screening facility for HBV in all government referral hospitals and other health facilities.

Download the PDF THE BURDEN OF HEPATITIS B AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE (ANC) SERVICES IN JUBA TEACHING HOSPITAL (JTH)-JUBA SOUTH SUDAN