Seroprevalences of HBsAg and Anti‐HCV among pregnant women in Turkey

Background The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is important for health planners as hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections are serious public health problems worldwide. This study was carried out to determine seroprevalences of HBsAg and anti‐HCV among pregnant women in Turkey, to assess protective immunity to HBV in pregnant women and to compare our findings with that of previous reports. Methods A total of 5470 pregnants were included in this study. Serum samples of participants were screened for HBsAg and anti‐HCV by using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method with 4th generation commercial diagnostic kits according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Results 104 (1.9%) of 5470 pregnant women were positive for HBsAg, 9 (0.2%) of them were positive for anti‐HCV. 843 (15.4%) of 5470 women were tested for anti‐ HBs, and 242 (28.8%) of them were positive, 601 (71.2%) of them were negative for anti‐HBs. Age group of 26‐ 30 had the highest seropositivity rate for both HBsAg and anti‐HCV. Age‐associated seropositivity to HBsAg was found to decrease with increasing age especially after the age of 35 years and there was a statistically significant association between age groups and HBsAg seropositivity. There were no anti‐HCV positive pregnant women at age group of 15‐20 and 41‐above. There was not a statistically significant association between age groups and anti‐HCV seropositivity. Conclusion Low rates of seroprevalences for HBsAg and anti‐HCV were found as compared to previous reports. Routine screening of all pregnant women for HBV and HCV is essential for detecting neonates at risk of transmission and HBV vaccine should be administered to women of childbearing age to reduce risk of vertical transmission