Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study

George Uchenna Eleje; Ayyuba Rabiu; Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu; Godwin Otuodichinma Akaba; Olabisi Morebise Loto; Hadiza Abdullahi Usman; Preye Owen Fiebai; Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu; Ngozi Nneka Joe-Ikechebelu; Chike Henry Nwankwo; Stephen Okoroafor Kalu; Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu; Chukwuanugo Nkemakonam Ogbuagu; Shirley Nneka Chukwurah; Chinwe Elizabeth Uzochukwu; Samuel Oluwagbenga Inuyomi; Bukola Abimbola Adesoji; Uchenna Chukwunonso Ogwaluonye; Ekene Agatha Emeka; Richard Obinwanne Egeonu; Odion Emmanuel Igue; Chiamaka Henrietta Jibuaku; Ogbonna Dennis Okoro; Prince Ogbonnia Aja; Chiamaka Perpetua Chidozie; Hadiza Sani Ibrahim; Fatima Ele Aliyu; Aisha Ismaila Numan; Solace Amechi Omoruyi; Ijeoma Chioma Oppah; Ubong Inyang Anyang; Aishat Ahmed; Osita Samuel Umeononihu; Eric Okechukwu Umeh; Sussan Ifeyinwa Nweje; Ifeoma Clara Ajuba; Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro; Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna; Emeka Philip Igbodike; Ifeanyi Kingsley Nwaeju; Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai; Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi; Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu

doi:10.1177/17455065211031718

Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study

George Uchenna Eleje, Ayyuba Rabiu, Ikechukwu Innocent Mbachu, Godwin Otuodichinma Akaba, Olabisi Morebise Loto, Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, Preye Owen Fiebai, Rebecca Chinyelu Chukwuanukwu, Ngozi Nneka Joe-Ikechebelu, Chike Henry Nwankwo, Stephen Okoroafor Kalu, Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu, Chukwuanugo Nkemakonam Ogbuagu, Shirley Nneka Chukwurah, Chinwe Elizabeth Uzochukwu, Samuel Oluwagbenga Inuyomi, Bukola Abimbola Adesoji, Uchenna Chukwunonso Ogwaluonye, Ekene Agatha Emeka, Richard Obinwanne EgeonuOdion Emmanuel Igue, Chiamaka Henrietta Jibuaku, Ogbonna Dennis Okoro, Prince Ogbonnia Aja, Chiamaka Perpetua Chidozie, Hadiza Sani Ibrahim, Fatima Ele Aliyu, Aisha Ismaila Numan, Solace Amechi Omoruyi, Ijeoma Chioma Oppah, Ubong Inyang Anyang, Aishat Ahmed, Osita Samuel Umeononihu, Eric Okechukwu Umeh, Sussan Ifeyinwa Nweje, Ifeoma Clara Ajuba, Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro, Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna, Emeka Philip Igbodike, Ifeanyi Kingsley Nwaeju, Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai, Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-hepatitis C virus testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed hepatitis C virus positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Participants were evaluated for risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% confidence interval = 38.2%–60.5%) were aware of hepatitis C virus infection and awareness of hepatitis C virus was associated with young age (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.16–4.21), high educational level (odds ratio = 3.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.63–6.64), and participants’ occupation (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26–0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of hepatitis C virus and participants’ young age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–2.35; p = 0.018) and high educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.86; p = 0.001) remained significant. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%–4.5%). All (100.0%, 95% confidence interval = 12.1%–100.0%) the hepatitis C virus-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95% confidence interval = 51.3%–76.8%) hepatitis C virus-negative participants had identifiable hepatitis C virus risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-hepatitis C virus/anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B surface antigen each accounted for 0.6%. The most identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), and blood transfusion (11.3%). There was no significant association between the risk factors and hepatitis C virus positive status. Conclusion: Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria is low and those aware are positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify antenatal routine screening.

Original language	English
Journal	Women's Health
Volume	17
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/17455065211031718
State	Published - 2021
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

awareness
hepatitis C virus
pregnancy
prevalence
risk factor
screening

Access to Document

10.1177/17455065211031718

Cite this

Eleje, G. U., Rabiu, A., Mbachu, I. I., Akaba, G. O., Loto, O. M., Usman, H. A., Fiebai, P. O., Chukwuanukwu, R. C., Joe-Ikechebelu, N. N., Nwankwo, C. H., Kalu, S. O., Onubogu, C. U., Ogbuagu, C. N., Chukwurah, S. N., Uzochukwu, C. E., Inuyomi, S. O., Adesoji, B. A., Ogwaluonye, U. C., Emeka, E. A., ... Ikechebelu, J. I. (2021). Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study. Women's Health, 17. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455065211031718

@article{de4ae619ca0c41a89e791060d5d0d4f9,

title = "Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study",

abstract = "Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-hepatitis C virus testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed hepatitis C virus positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Participants were evaluated for risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% confidence interval = 38.2%–60.5%) were aware of hepatitis C virus infection and awareness of hepatitis C virus was associated with young age (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.16–4.21), high educational level (odds ratio = 3.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.63–6.64), and participants{\textquoteright} occupation (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26–0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of hepatitis C virus and participants{\textquoteright} young age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–2.35; p = 0.018) and high educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.86; p = 0.001) remained significant. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%–4.5%). All (100.0%, 95% confidence interval = 12.1%–100.0%) the hepatitis C virus-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95% confidence interval = 51.3%–76.8%) hepatitis C virus-negative participants had identifiable hepatitis C virus risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-hepatitis C virus/anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B surface antigen each accounted for 0.6%. The most identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), and blood transfusion (11.3%). There was no significant association between the risk factors and hepatitis C virus positive status. Conclusion: Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria is low and those aware are positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify antenatal routine screening.",

keywords = "awareness, hepatitis C virus, pregnancy, prevalence, risk factor, screening",

author = "Eleje, {George Uchenna} and Ayyuba Rabiu and Mbachu, {Ikechukwu Innocent} and Akaba, {Godwin Otuodichinma} and Loto, {Olabisi Morebise} and Usman, {Hadiza Abdullahi} and Fiebai, {Preye Owen} and Chukwuanukwu, {Rebecca Chinyelu} and Joe-Ikechebelu, {Ngozi Nneka} and Nwankwo, {Chike Henry} and Kalu, {Stephen Okoroafor} and Onubogu, {Chinyere Ukamaka} and Ogbuagu, {Chukwuanugo Nkemakonam} and Chukwurah, {Shirley Nneka} and Uzochukwu, {Chinwe Elizabeth} and Inuyomi, {Samuel Oluwagbenga} and Adesoji, {Bukola Abimbola} and Ogwaluonye, {Uchenna Chukwunonso} and Emeka, {Ekene Agatha} and Egeonu, {Richard Obinwanne} and Igue, {Odion Emmanuel} and Jibuaku, {Chiamaka Henrietta} and Okoro, {Ogbonna Dennis} and Aja, {Prince Ogbonnia} and Chidozie, {Chiamaka Perpetua} and Ibrahim, {Hadiza Sani} and Aliyu, {Fatima Ele} and Numan, {Aisha Ismaila} and Omoruyi, {Solace Amechi} and Oppah, {Ijeoma Chioma} and Anyang, {Ubong Inyang} and Aishat Ahmed and Umeononihu, {Osita Samuel} and Umeh, {Eric Okechukwu} and Nweje, {Sussan Ifeyinwa} and Ajuba, {Ifeoma Clara} and Okoro, {Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem} and Onwuegbuna, {Arinze Anthony} and Igbodike, {Emeka Philip} and Nwaeju, {Ifeanyi Kingsley} and Yakasai, {Ibrahim Adamu} and Ezechi, {Oliver Chukwujekwu} and Ikechebelu, {Joseph Ifeanyichukwu}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2021.",

year = "2021",

doi = "10.1177/17455065211031718",

language = "English",

volume = "17",

journal = "Women's Health",

issn = "1745-5057",

publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",

}

Eleje, GU, Rabiu, A, Mbachu, II, Akaba, GO, Loto, OM, Usman, HA, Fiebai, PO, Chukwuanukwu, RC, Joe-Ikechebelu, NN, Nwankwo, CH, Kalu, SO, Onubogu, CU, Ogbuagu, CN, Chukwurah, SN, Uzochukwu, CE, Inuyomi, SO, Adesoji, BA, Ogwaluonye, UC, Emeka, EA, Egeonu, RO, Igue, OE, Jibuaku, CH, Okoro, OD, Aja, PO, Chidozie, CP, Ibrahim, HS, Aliyu, FE, Numan, AI, Omoruyi, SA, Oppah, IC, Anyang, UI, Ahmed, A, Umeononihu, OS, Umeh, EO, Nweje, SI, Ajuba, IC, Okoro, CC, Onwuegbuna, AA, Igbodike, EP, Nwaeju, IK, Yakasai, IA, Ezechi, OC & Ikechebelu, JI 2021, 'Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study', Women's Health, vol. 17. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455065211031718

TY - JOUR

T1 - Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria

T2 - A national pilot cross-sectional study

AU - Eleje, George Uchenna

AU - Rabiu, Ayyuba

AU - Mbachu, Ikechukwu Innocent

AU - Akaba, Godwin Otuodichinma

AU - Loto, Olabisi Morebise

AU - Usman, Hadiza Abdullahi

AU - Fiebai, Preye Owen

AU - Chukwuanukwu, Rebecca Chinyelu

AU - Joe-Ikechebelu, Ngozi Nneka

AU - Nwankwo, Chike Henry

AU - Kalu, Stephen Okoroafor

AU - Onubogu, Chinyere Ukamaka

AU - Ogbuagu, Chukwuanugo Nkemakonam

AU - Chukwurah, Shirley Nneka

AU - Uzochukwu, Chinwe Elizabeth

AU - Inuyomi, Samuel Oluwagbenga

AU - Adesoji, Bukola Abimbola

AU - Ogwaluonye, Uchenna Chukwunonso

AU - Emeka, Ekene Agatha

AU - Egeonu, Richard Obinwanne

AU - Igue, Odion Emmanuel

AU - Jibuaku, Chiamaka Henrietta

AU - Okoro, Ogbonna Dennis

AU - Aja, Prince Ogbonnia

AU - Chidozie, Chiamaka Perpetua

AU - Ibrahim, Hadiza Sani

AU - Aliyu, Fatima Ele

AU - Numan, Aisha Ismaila

AU - Omoruyi, Solace Amechi

AU - Oppah, Ijeoma Chioma

AU - Anyang, Ubong Inyang

AU - Ahmed, Aishat

AU - Umeononihu, Osita Samuel

AU - Umeh, Eric Okechukwu

AU - Nweje, Sussan Ifeyinwa

AU - Ajuba, Ifeoma Clara

AU - Okoro, Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem

AU - Onwuegbuna, Arinze Anthony

AU - Igbodike, Emeka Philip

AU - Nwaeju, Ifeanyi Kingsley

AU - Yakasai, Ibrahim Adamu

AU - Ezechi, Oliver Chukwujekwu

AU - Ikechebelu, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-hepatitis C virus testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed hepatitis C virus positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Participants were evaluated for risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% confidence interval = 38.2%–60.5%) were aware of hepatitis C virus infection and awareness of hepatitis C virus was associated with young age (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.16–4.21), high educational level (odds ratio = 3.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.63–6.64), and participants’ occupation (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26–0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of hepatitis C virus and participants’ young age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–2.35; p = 0.018) and high educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.86; p = 0.001) remained significant. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%–4.5%). All (100.0%, 95% confidence interval = 12.1%–100.0%) the hepatitis C virus-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95% confidence interval = 51.3%–76.8%) hepatitis C virus-negative participants had identifiable hepatitis C virus risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-hepatitis C virus/anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B surface antigen each accounted for 0.6%. The most identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), and blood transfusion (11.3%). There was no significant association between the risk factors and hepatitis C virus positive status. Conclusion: Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria is low and those aware are positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify antenatal routine screening.

AB - Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 159 pregnant women from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria consented to anti-hepatitis C virus testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed hepatitis C virus positive women were further tested for hepatitis B and HIV. Participants were evaluated for risk factors for hepatitis C virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined, and p-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of 159 participants, 77 (48.4%; 95% confidence interval = 38.2%–60.5%) were aware of hepatitis C virus infection and awareness of hepatitis C virus was associated with young age (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.16–4.21), high educational level (odds ratio = 3.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.63–6.64), and participants’ occupation (odds ratio = 0.51; 95% confidence interval = 0.26–0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for confounders, the association between awareness of hepatitis C virus and participants’ young age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–2.35; p = 0.018) and high educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 1.48; 95% confidence interval = 1.17–1.86; p = 0.001) remained significant. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence was found to be 1.3% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%–4.5%). All (100.0%, 95% confidence interval = 12.1%–100.0%) the hepatitis C virus-positive participants and 99 (63.1%, 95% confidence interval = 51.3%–76.8%) hepatitis C virus-negative participants had identifiable hepatitis C virus risk factors. Dual seropositivity of anti-hepatitis C virus/anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B surface antigen each accounted for 0.6%. The most identified risk factors were multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), and blood transfusion (11.3%). There was no significant association between the risk factors and hepatitis C virus positive status. Conclusion: Awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria is low and those aware are positively influenced by young age and high educational level. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection is high and provides preliminary evidence to justify antenatal routine screening.

KW - awareness

KW - hepatitis C virus

KW - pregnancy

KW - prevalence

KW - risk factor

KW - screening

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85110017579&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/17455065211031718

DO - 10.1177/17455065211031718

M3 - Article

C2 - 34256625

AN - SCOPUS:85110017579

SN - 1745-5057

VL - 17

JO - Women's Health

JF - Women's Health

ER -

Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study

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