dc.contributor.author | Kabajulizi, Immaculate | |
dc.contributor.author | Bazira, Joel | |
dc.contributor.author | Atuheire, Collins | |
dc.contributor.author | Kato, Charles | |
dc.contributor.author | Kabanda, Taseera | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2022-01-28T09:25:39Z | |
dc.date.available | 2022-01-28T09:25:39Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2019 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Kabajulizi, I., Bazira, J., Atuheire, C., Kato, C. and Kabanda, T. (2019) Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Health Centers of Mbarara Municipality, Southwestern Uganda. Advances in Infectious Diseases , 9, 65-79. | en_US |
dc.identifier.issn | 2164-2656 online | |
dc.identifier.issn | 2164-2648 print | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://ir.must.ac.ug/xmlui/handle/123456789/1298 | |
dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Viral hepatitis B (HBV) in pregnancy is a risk for childhood transmission where the majority become chronically infected. In Uganda, HBV is not tested for during antenatal, therefore the number of infected, infectious, immune and none-immune pregnant women is unknown curtailing efforts to prevent mother to child transmission.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 254 pregnant women from four health centers in Mbarara Municipality. HBV status was assessed using an immunochromatographic (COMBO) kit, the type of infection; based on demonstration of anti hepB core IgM (acute infection) and total core IgG antibodies (chronic infection) and infectiousness; based on the presence of HBeAg and/or a quantitative HBV viral load ≥ 20,000 IU/mL. Immunity was determined using the COMBO kit and HBsAb quantification ELISA. One was deemed immune to HBV if HBsAb titers were ≥10 mIU/mL.
Results: The prevalence of HBV infection was 1.2%; 33% and 67% with acute and chronic HBV respectively. 33% were infectious based on a high viral load, none had detectable HBeAg. 14% were immune; amongst whom 72% had natural exposure and 18% after vaccination. There was insufficient immunity in 11% with a majority (75%) having acquired immunity following vaccination.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV is low and most of those are chronically infected. HBeAg and Hepatitis B viral load should be performed when evaluating infectiousness. Further, there is a high transmission of HBV among adults and a low uptake of the HBV vaccine in Mbarara Municipality. | en_US |
dc.description.sponsorship | The Kayanja Fellowship at Mbarara University of Science and Technology | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
dc.publisher | Advances in Infectious Diseases | en_US |
dc.subject | Hepatitis B Virus | en_US |
dc.subject | Prevalence | en_US |
dc.subject | Acute and Chronic | en_US |
dc.subject | Viral Load | en_US |
dc.subject | Immunity | en_US |
dc.subject | Pregnant Women | en_US |
dc.title | Hepatitis B Infection and Immunity among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Health Centers of Mbarara Municipality, Southwestern Uganda | en_US |
dc.type | Article | en_US |