ASSESSMENT OF HEPATITIS B INFECTION IN PREECLAMPSIC PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING MARYAM ABACHA WOMEN AND CHILDREN HOSPITAL, SOKOTO

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses significant risks during pregnancy, particularly in regions with high endemicity like Nigeria, where it may intersect with obstetric complications such as preeclampsia. This cross-sectional comparative study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV infection among preeclamptic pregnant women attending Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, and to investigate its relationship with preeclampsia. A total of 75 pregnant women (40 preeclamptic and 35 non-preeclamptic controls) were recruited using systematic random sampling. Sociodemographic data were collected via questionnaires, and serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using sandwich ELISA. The overall HBsAg seroprevalence was 10.7%, with 15.0% in the preeclamptic group and 5.7% in controls. No statistically significant association was found between HBV infection and preeclampsia (χ² =1.53, p= 0.216). Sociodemographic factors showed no significant associations with preeclampsia among HBV -positive respondents, though previous preeclampsia history (p = 0.001) and prior HBV testing (p = 0.018) were linked to preeclampsia status overall. The study highlights a high HBV burden in this population, underscoring the need for enhanced screening and vaccination to mitigate maternal and neonatal risks, despite the lack of a direct HBV-preeclampsia link in this cohort.