Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui; Raymond Nyassa; Serge Ngekeng; Nicholas Tendongfor

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

| Peer-Reviewed

Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui, Raymond Nyassa, Serge Ngekeng, Nicholas Tendongfor

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 3)

Received: 18 May 2022 Accepted: 6 June 2022 Published: 21 June 2022

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Infection with Hepatitis B virus continues to be an important global public health problem with millions of people worldwide affected. Around 2 billion people have been exposed to hepatitis B globally, and about 257 million people are living with hepatitis B particularly in the Low and Middle-income countries. Cameroon is endemic and pregnant women are rarely screened routinely in most health facilities in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, knowledge and risk factors of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Loum Health District. This study was a cross sectional hospital and community-based carried out among pregnant women in the Loum Health District. All the 5 health areas and 24 health facilities were included. Data on the socio demography and knowledge on hepatitis B infection was collected using a structured questionnaire. Pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) using the DiaSpot One Step Hepatitis B test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Chi square test was used to compare proportions and the logistic regression model was fitted to find out factors independently associated with knowledge, prevalence and attitude. Of the 200 pregnant women screened, 18 (9%) were positive for hepatitis B virus. Higher prevalence was observed for the age group 16-25 (10.8%) and primary level of education 7 (13.5%). The results showed that pregnant women had inadequate knowledge on HBV infection. History of multiple sex partners (AOR=5.58, P=0.001), history of surgery (AOR=3.04, P=0.026) and history of tattooing (AOR=2.36, P=0.041) were all significantly associated with hepatitis B sero-positivity. The prevalence of HBsAg was 9% with only one third of participants having adequate knowledge on Hepatitis B. Although hepatitis B is recognized to be one of the major health problems, pregnant women in the Loum health district were less aware of its mode of transmission, consequences and prevention. History of surgery, tattooing, multiple sexual partners were factors that increase hepatitis transmission. Compulsory screening of pregnant women in hospital and health educative talks on Hepatitis B during antenatal visit could create more awareness among pregnant women.

Published in	Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15
Page(s)	116-120
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

HBV Infection, HBsAg, Risk Factors, Pregnant Women

References

[1]	Bigna JJ, Amougou MA, Asangbeh SL, Kenne AM, Noumegni SRN, Ngo-Malabo ET. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Dec 24]; 7 (6): e015298. Available from: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/
[2]	Nelson NP, Jamieson DJ, Murphy T V. Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2014; 3 (SUPPL1): 7–12.
[3]	Kayondo SP, Byamugisha JK, Ntuyo P. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mulago.
[4]	Roble AK, Roba KT, Mengistie B, Kure MA. Seroprevalence of hepatitis b virus and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in jigjiga town, eastern ethiopia. Int J Womens Health. 2020; 12: 1299–310.
[5]	Noubiap JJN, Nansseu JRN, Ndoula ST, Bigna JJR, Jingi AM, Fokom-Domgue J. Prevalence, infectivity and correlates of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in a rural district of the Far North Region of Cameroon Disease epidemiology - Infectious. BMC Public Health. 2015; 15 (1): 1–7.
[6]	Eyong EM, Yankam BM, Seraphine E, Ngwa CH, Nkfusai NC, Anye CS,. The prevalence of HBsAg, knowledge and practice of hepatitis B prevention among pregnant women in the limbe and Muyuka health districts of the south west region of Cameroon: A three-year retrospective study. Pan Afr Med J. 2019; 32: 1–11.
[7]	Ochola E, Ocama P, Orach CG, Nankinga ZK, Kalyango JN, McFarland W. High burden of hepatitis B infection in Northern Uganda: Results of a population-based survey. BMC Public Health. 2013; 13 (1).
[8]	Eyong EM, Yankam BM, Seraphine E, Ngwa CH, Nkfusai NC, Anye CS. The prevalence of HBsAg, knowledge and practice of hepatitis B prevention among pregnant women in the limbe and Muyuka health districts of the south west region of Cameroon: A three-year retrospective study. Pan Afr Med J [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 Dec 30]; 32. Available from: http://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/32/122/full/
[9]	Bani I, Mahfouz MS, Maki E, Gaffar A, Elhassan I, Yassin AO. Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis B Virus among Pregnant Women in Jazan Region-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J Biol Agric Healthc. 2012; 2 (7): 39–43.
[10]	Frambo AAB, Atashili J, Fon PN, Ndumbe PM. Prevalence of HBsAg and knowledge about hepatitis B in pregnancy in the Buea Health District, Cameroon: A cross-sectional study. BMC Res Notes [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2021 Jan 9]; 7 (1). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263476191_Prevalence_of_HBsAg_and_knowledge_about_hepatitis_B_in_pregnancy_in_the_Buea_Health_District_Cameroon_A_cross-sectional_study/citation/download
[11]	Fomulu NJ, Morfaw FLI, Torimiro JN, Nana P, Koh M V, William T. Prevalence, correlates and pattern of Hepatitis B among antenatal clinic attenders in Yaounde-Cameroon: Is perinatal transmission of HBV neglected in Cameroon? BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013; 13: 1–10.
[12]	Abongwa LE, Kenneth P. Assessing prevalencE and risk factors of hepatitis b surface antigen amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in the northwest region of Cameroon [Internet]. Vol. 4, European Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2016 [cited 2020 Dec 31]. Available from: www.idpublications.org
[13]	Cetin S, Cetin M, Turhan E, Dolapcıoglu K. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and associated risk factors among pregnant women. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2018; 12 (10): 904–9.
[14]	Gebrecherkos T, Girmay G, Lemma M, Negash M. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Hepatitis B Virus among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Int J Hepatol. 2020; 2020.
[15]	Kwadzokpui PK, Akorsu EE, Abaka-Yawson A, Quarshie SS, Amankwah SA, Tawiah PA. Prevalence and knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in the Ningo-Prampram District, Ghana. Int J Hepatol. 2020; 2020: 7965146. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar].
[16]	Han Z, Yin Y, Zhang Y, Ehrhardt S, Thio CL, Nelson KE, et al. Knowledge of and attitudes towards hepatitis B and its transmission from mother to child among pregnant women in Guangdong Province, China. PLoS One. 2017; 12 (6): 1–9.
[17]	Tsegaye A. School of graduate studies Prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and KAP towards HBV infection, among pregnant women attending selected. 2014; 79.
[18]	Aj G, Po E, Rc O, Ci U. Knowledge and Awareness of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women in Abakaliki Nigeria. 2015; 2 (3).
[19]	Pandey S, Lohani P, Roy R, Bhar D, Ranjan A, Kumar P, Singh CM. Prevalence and knowledge of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in a primary health Center of Patna district, Bihar. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021; 10 (10): 36575-3681.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui, Raymond Nyassa, Serge Ngekeng, Nicholas Tendongfor. (2022). Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon. Central African Journal of Public Health, 8(3), 116-120. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui; Raymond Nyassa; Serge Ngekeng; Nicholas Tendongfor. Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2022, 8(3), 116-120. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui, Raymond Nyassa, Serge Ngekeng, Nicholas Tendongfor. Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2022;8(3):116-120. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15,
  author = {Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui and Raymond Nyassa and Serge Ngekeng and Nicholas Tendongfor},
  title = {Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {116-120},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20220803.15},
  abstract = {Infection with Hepatitis B virus continues to be an important global public health problem with millions of people worldwide affected. Around 2 billion people have been exposed to hepatitis B globally, and about 257 million people are living with hepatitis B particularly in the Low and Middle-income countries. Cameroon is endemic and pregnant women are rarely screened routinely in most health facilities in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, knowledge and risk factors of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Loum Health District. This study was a cross sectional hospital and community-based carried out among pregnant women in the Loum Health District. All the 5 health areas and 24 health facilities were included. Data on the socio demography and knowledge on hepatitis B infection was collected using a structured questionnaire. Pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) using the DiaSpot One Step Hepatitis B test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Chi square test was used to compare proportions and the logistic regression model was fitted to find out factors independently associated with knowledge, prevalence and attitude. Of the 200 pregnant women screened, 18 (9%) were positive for hepatitis B virus. Higher prevalence was observed for the age group 16-25 (10.8%) and primary level of education 7 (13.5%). The results showed that pregnant women had inadequate knowledge on HBV infection. History of multiple sex partners (AOR=5.58, P=0.001), history of surgery (AOR=3.04, P=0.026) and history of tattooing (AOR=2.36, P=0.041) were all significantly associated with hepatitis B sero-positivity. The prevalence of HBsAg was 9% with only one third of participants having adequate knowledge on Hepatitis B. Although hepatitis B is recognized to be one of the major health problems, pregnant women in the Loum health district were less aware of its mode of transmission, consequences and prevention. History of surgery, tattooing, multiple sexual partners were factors that increase hepatitis transmission. Compulsory screening of pregnant women in hospital and health educative talks on Hepatitis B during antenatal visit could create more awareness among pregnant women.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon
AU - Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui
AU - Raymond Nyassa
AU - Serge Ngekeng
AU - Nicholas Tendongfor
Y1 - 2022/06/21
PY - 2022
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15
DO - 10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15
T2 - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP - 116
EP - 120
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-5781
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15
AB - Infection with Hepatitis B virus continues to be an important global public health problem with millions of people worldwide affected. Around 2 billion people have been exposed to hepatitis B globally, and about 257 million people are living with hepatitis B particularly in the Low and Middle-income countries. Cameroon is endemic and pregnant women are rarely screened routinely in most health facilities in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, knowledge and risk factors of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Loum Health District. This study was a cross sectional hospital and community-based carried out among pregnant women in the Loum Health District. All the 5 health areas and 24 health facilities were included. Data on the socio demography and knowledge on hepatitis B infection was collected using a structured questionnaire. Pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) using the DiaSpot One Step Hepatitis B test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Chi square test was used to compare proportions and the logistic regression model was fitted to find out factors independently associated with knowledge, prevalence and attitude. Of the 200 pregnant women screened, 18 (9%) were positive for hepatitis B virus. Higher prevalence was observed for the age group 16-25 (10.8%) and primary level of education 7 (13.5%). The results showed that pregnant women had inadequate knowledge on HBV infection. History of multiple sex partners (AOR=5.58, P=0.001), history of surgery (AOR=3.04, P=0.026) and history of tattooing (AOR=2.36, P=0.041) were all significantly associated with hepatitis B sero-positivity. The prevalence of HBsAg was 9% with only one third of participants having adequate knowledge on Hepatitis B. Although hepatitis B is recognized to be one of the major health problems, pregnant women in the Loum health district were less aware of its mode of transmission, consequences and prevention. History of surgery, tattooing, multiple sexual partners were factors that increase hepatitis transmission. Compulsory screening of pregnant women in hospital and health educative talks on Hepatitis B during antenatal visit could create more awareness among pregnant women.
VL - 8
IS - 3
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui

Departmentof Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Raymond Nyassa

Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Serge Ngekeng

Departmentof Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Nicholas Tendongfor

Departmentof Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui, Raymond Nyassa, Serge Ngekeng, Nicholas Tendongfor. (2022). Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon. Central African Journal of Public Health, 8(3), 116-120. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui; Raymond Nyassa; Serge Ngekeng; Nicholas Tendongfor. Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2022, 8(3), 116-120. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui, Raymond Nyassa, Serge Ngekeng, Nicholas Tendongfor. Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2022;8(3):116-120. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15,
  author = {Ngwanjoh Lengouh Njeunui and Raymond Nyassa and Serge Ngekeng and Nicholas Tendongfor},
  title = {Prevalence, Knowledge and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Among Pregnant Women in the Loum Health District, Cameroon},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {8},
  number = {3},
  pages = {116-120},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20220803.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20220803.15},
  abstract = {Infection with Hepatitis B virus continues to be an important global public health problem with millions of people worldwide affected. Around 2 billion people have been exposed to hepatitis B globally, and about 257 million people are living with hepatitis B particularly in the Low and Middle-income countries. Cameroon is endemic and pregnant women are rarely screened routinely in most health facilities in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, knowledge and risk factors of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Loum Health District. This study was a cross sectional hospital and community-based carried out among pregnant women in the Loum Health District. All the 5 health areas and 24 health facilities were included. Data on the socio demography and knowledge on hepatitis B infection was collected using a structured questionnaire. Pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) using the DiaSpot One Step Hepatitis B test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Chi square test was used to compare proportions and the logistic regression model was fitted to find out factors independently associated with knowledge, prevalence and attitude. Of the 200 pregnant women screened, 18 (9%) were positive for hepatitis B virus. Higher prevalence was observed for the age group 16-25 (10.8%) and primary level of education 7 (13.5%). The results showed that pregnant women had inadequate knowledge on HBV infection. History of multiple sex partners (AOR=5.58, P=0.001), history of surgery (AOR=3.04, P=0.026) and history of tattooing (AOR=2.36, P=0.041) were all significantly associated with hepatitis B sero-positivity. The prevalence of HBsAg was 9% with only one third of participants having adequate knowledge on Hepatitis B. Although hepatitis B is recognized to be one of the major health problems, pregnant women in the Loum health district were less aware of its mode of transmission, consequences and prevention. History of surgery, tattooing, multiple sexual partners were factors that increase hepatitis transmission. Compulsory screening of pregnant women in hospital and health educative talks on Hepatitis B during antenatal visit could create more awareness among pregnant women.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download