Evidence of Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies amongst Pregnant Women in Parts of North Central Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the viral hepatitis of great public health significance globally. The infection if not detected and treated at the early stage can cause liver fibrosis that may lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and the eventual death of the individual.

Aim: To determine the evidence of HCV antibodies amongst pregnant women in parts of North Central Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Materials and Methods: The study was a hospital based. Eight hundred and one (801) samples were collected from consented pregnant women in the study area and were examined for anti-HCV antibody using a third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Test kit (Autobio Diagnostics, China) based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Structured questionnaires were administered to the participants and results were analyzed using SPSS version, 23.0 statistical software package.

Results: Of the 801 samples examined amongst pregnant women in this study, 3.6% were seropositive for HCV antibodies. Age group 10- 20 years had the highest seroprevalence of 6.3%, followed by the age group 31-40 with the prevalence of 3.8%, while the age group 41-50 years had the least with no detectable HCV antibodies. The result showed no significant difference (p = .53). The sero-prevalence of HCV antibodies in relation to marital status shows that the singles had the highest seroprevalence of 5.3%, followed by the married with 3.6%, while the least were recorded amongst the divorced and widowed who showed no detectable evidence of HCV antibodies in their samples. Statistically, the result showed no significant association (p = .93). Participants with non-formal education had the highest seroprevalence of 4.9%, followed by those with secondary education with a seroprevalence of 5.3% and the least was recorded among those with primary education with a seroprevalence of 2.4%. However, the result showed no significant difference (p = .78).

Conclusion: HCV antibodies is evident amongst 3.6% of the pregnant women that consented for the study and this call for health care providers and policy makers to ensure that HCV is included among the routine investigations carried out for ante-natal women in all health facilities in the area during their ante-natal care, this will help the health personnel in the provision of good health care delivery to the mothers and their babies.