Prevalence of HBsAg and high-risk behaviors in pregnant women referring to Urban Health Centers in Isfahan province

Abstract

• BACKGROUND: About 5% of the world population are carriers of the hepatitis B virus which is not the same in different areas of the world. Iran, with a rate of 2-3%, is among the countries with average prevalence. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and its associated factors in pregnant women who referred to urban health centers in Isfahan Province.
• METHODS: This was a descriptive study conducted on 1078 pregnant women who had referred to the urban health centers of Isfahan, Borkhar, Meymeh, Khomeini Shahr, Lenjan and Najaf Abad in 2009 in order to register their physical condition and receive pregnancy care. Random sampling method by quota was done. First, a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and history of high-risk behaviors in mothers and their husbands was completed. Then, a blood sample was taken and evaluated for the HB virus surface antigen. Finally, the data was analyzed using SPSS software, Chi-square, Fisher and Logistic Regression tests.
• RESULTS: HB virus surface antigen was traced in the serum of 0.5% of the participants. The average age of subjects was 26.1± 4.9 (mean ± sd) years old and the average pregnancy number was 1.79 + 1.0 (mean ± sd). Using Fisher's test as well as logistic regression test and based on the previous history of high-risk sexual behaviors and tattooing, a significant difference was observed between the two groups with positive and negative HBsAg (p ≤ 0.05).
• CONCLUSIONS: Instructing the target groups and close monitoring of the high-risk centers such as beauty shops, tattooing centers and etc, and also staff training on how to use disposable and sterilized equipments have to be accomplished at the right time.
• KEY WORDS: Prevalence, hepatitis B, serum surface antigen, pregnancy.