Prevalence and Risk of Hepatitis Infection in Infants Associated with Maternal Health History: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia

ackground: Hepatitis is a significant public health concern in Indonesia, with the government prioritizing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of antenatal care (ANC), pregnancy and parturition conditions, hepatitis B immunizations, and healthcare accessibility on the incidence of hepatitis among infants.Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2018 Basic Health Survey (Riskesdas) in Indonesia, examining 10,293 infants aged 6–12 months. Multivariate logistic regression was performed on a final sample of 7,434 cases with complete data. The sampling method used in this research is multistage cluster sampling, which is a common approach for large, nationally representative surveys such as Riskesdas.Results: Hepatitis was identified in 0.5% of infants. Significant associations were found between hepatitis incidence and maternal pregnancy disorders (aPOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.03–3.6) and abnormal parturition methods (aPOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.14–4.18). However, ANC history and hepatitis B immunization did not show significant associations.Conclusion: Comprehensive and timely ANC to address pregnancy disorders and ensure normal parturition can significantly reduce hepatitis risk in infants. Public health interventions should focus on maternal health education and healthcare access, particularly in rural areas.Keywords: Antenatal Care, Hepatitis Infection, Infant, Parturition, Pregnancy