Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attended Antenatal Care Services in Harar City, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious public health problem in worldwide and the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Globally, 350 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis virus and more than 68,600 people die of HBV infection. Pregnant mother infected with Hepatitis B virus has a high rate of vertical transmission, causing adverse fetal and neonatal outcome. Understanding the epidemiology of Hepatitis virus could have paramount importance to take appropriate preventive measures. The world health organization recommends screening of all pregnant mothers. However, this practice is poor currently in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aims to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors.