Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B and C infection among pregnant women attending a government hospital in Delhi

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy is associated with perinatal transmission contributing to the pool of HBV and HCV infection. Pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B and positive Hepatitis B virus E antigen (HBeAg) have a 90% likelihood of transmitting the hepatitis B virus to their newborns. Vertical (mother-to-child) transmission is the leading cause of HCV infection in children. Though there is much data on the overall prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among the general population, only a few studies are focusing on the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among pregnant women. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in Delhi. A total of 422 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic for the first time were interviewed for risk factors for transmission and then tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV using rapid diagnostic test kit. Results: The seroprevalence for HBsAg and anti-HCV among the participants was 2.1% and 0.2%, respectively. Risk factor assessment revealed a significant association with the history of blood or blood product transfusion. Conclusion: Prevalence rates for HBsAg are higher than those reported in some previous studies and the national average. More in-depth research studies are needed to identify potential risk factors significantly contributing to the disease burden for the targeted approach to eliminate infection.