Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Positivity among Pregnant Women

Abstract

A case-control study of risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was carried out among 130 pregnant women who were HBsAg positive (the case group) and 284 pregnant women who were HBsAg negative (the control group). Data obtained from the interviews and medical records including socio-demographic factors, personal history and behavioral factors related to HBV infection of the case and control groups were analyzed by using Odds ratio (OR), 95 per cent confidence interval of OR and chi2-test. The results revealed that the significant risk factors for HBsAg positivity were (a) a history of jaundice, OR=3.83 (p=0.0044), (b) tattooing, OR=3.98 (p=0.0411), (c) a history of jaundice in husbands, OR=7.93 (p<0.0001), (d) sharing articles with their husbands, such as a toothbrush, a spoon or a drinking glass, OR=5.90 (p<0.0001), (e) duration of marriage more than 4 years, OR=1.58 (p=0.0446) and (f) average sexual relations > or = 2 times per week, OR=2.12 (p=0.0007). The HBV preventive program should emphasize not only HBV vaccination in spouses of HBV carriers or pre-marital couples, but also health education for improving personal hygiene and sexual behavior in these target groups.