Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care service in health institutions in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers in the Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in governmental and private health facilities in the Gedeo zone from January to April 2019. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. The Eugene strip test was used to determine hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Other variables were collected from the mothers using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Binary logistic regression was used for the analysis. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the association between HBsAg seropositivity and various factors. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers was 9.2% in the Gedeo Zone. Previous history of blood transfusion [AOR=5.2, 95% CI: 2.1, 12.5], previous history of hospital admission [AOR=3, 95% CI: 1.4, 6.6], history of having an abortion [AOR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.5, 11.7], age of the pregnant women [AOR=5.1, 95% CI: 1.5, 18.0], and HIV status of the mother [AOR=8.1, 95% CI: 1.9, 36.0] had a statistically significant association with HBsAg seropositivity.Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus infection was found to have higher endemicity (9.2%) in the Gedeo Zone which is higher than the national pooled prevalence which was 4.75%. Early initiation of antenatal care services which incorporate the prevention and control of HBV must be implemented by the health facilities in the Gedeo Zone.