Factors associated with low screening for viral hepatitis B in pregnant women in the Djoungolo Health District in Yaounde, Cameroon

In countries with high prevalence rates like Cameroon, mother-to-child transmission is responsible for approximately 60% ofviral hepatitis B cases, with 80 to 90% of chronic infections affecting children below the age of 5. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the average prevalence of hepatitis B among pregnant women in Cameroon is estimated at 9.83%. However, the District Health Information Software II (DHIS II) 2021 data shows that only 15.61% of pregnant women in the Djoungolo Health District have been screened for viral Hepatitis B (HbsAg). This study aimed to identify factors contributing to low rates of viral hepatitis B screening among pregnant women in the Djoungolo Health District. A cross-sectional, quantitative and analytical study was carried out in three health facilities in the Djoungolo district between April and June 2022, including 593 pregnant women. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on independent variables included of sociodemographic factors such as age, level of education, marital status, factors related to treatment adherence and factors related to hepatitis B knowledge. Data were then analyzed using IBM SPSS 22.0 software, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression to identify factors predictive of screening, with calculation of odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Out of 625 women received, 593 (94,8%) consented to participate in the study. The participants’ mean age was 29 years with a standard deviation of ± 4 and 61,2% of respondents completed higher education. Of the 593 surveyed pregnant women, 26% were not tested for viral hepatitis B during their pregnancy. Factors associated with low testing included a low educational level (AOR = 10,11, [2,73 − 37,43]), single marital status (AOR = 2,10, [0,967- 4,57]), monthly income below XAF 25,000 (AOR = 62, [42–74]), unawareness about the availability of screening tests at health facilities (AOR = 46,4, [17,00- 126,65]) and lack of awareness on the part of health workers (AOR = 2,81, [0,90 − 3,64]). Awareness campaigns must be launched to inform women about the importance of screening and the availability of services in health facilities. In addition, steps must be taken to make screening services more accessible, notably by reducing financial barriers.