Risk factors for hepatitis B virus infections among pregnant women in East Lombok District

Abstract

Background and purpose: The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target of 90% reduction in new hepatitis B infections by 2030. The WHO program includes prevention of new infections, and increases testing uptake and treatment. In order to effectively foster prevention, it is necessary to understand the risk factors for transmission. This study aims to determine the risk factors of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women. Methods: A case control study was carried out among 52 pregnant women with HBsAg (+) as cases and 104 pregnant women with HBsAg (-) as controls. The source of cases and controls was the register of pregnant women at the Pringgasela Public Health Center from January 2016 to October 2017. Cases were selected using systematic random sampling from 67 HBsAg (+) pregnant women and controls were selected in the same way from 1644 pregnant women with HBsAg (-). Cases and controls were matched by domicile. The data collected were age, age of first marriage, education, family income, parity, history of miscarriage, maternal or husband’s history of working abroad, frequency of marriage, history of injection, surgery, blood transfusion and dental care. Data collection was carried out with a pre-tested questionnaire in April-May 2018 through interviews at the home of each respondent. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression was carried out to determine the adjusted odds ratio of each risk factor. Results: Cases and controls characteristics were found to be similar in terms of age, domicile, education and income. Significant risk factors were the history of husband working abroad (AOR=4.28; 95%CI: 1.66- 11.08), age of first marriage ≤19 years (AOR=2.52; 95%CI: 1.16-5.48) and frequency of husband's marriage more than one time (AOR=3.08; 95%CI: 1.35-7.08). Conclusion: Husbands with history of working abroad, age of first marriage <20 years and frequency of husband's marriage more than one time were found to be the risk factors for hepatitis B infection in pregnant women. These factors require public health attention in order to reduce the transmission of hepatitis B.