Prevalence of Hepatitis C and V Among Pregnant Women at Rabia Balkhi Hospital Kabul

چکیده

Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation, and viral hepatitis—especially hepatitis B and
C—is a major cause of liver inflammation and one of the significant global health
issues. Worldwide, 354 million people suffer from chronic liver inflammation caused
by these two viruses, with an additional 3 million new cases occurring annually. The
primary modes of transmission are through blood and from mother to child. Globally,
5% of pregnant women are affected by hepatitis B and 8% by hepatitis C. Infection of
pregnant women with hepatitis B and C viruses can increase the risk of vertical
transmission to the infant, potentially leading to low birth weight or preterm birth.
Furthermore, these infections may increase the likelihood of complications such as
gestational hypertension and liver problems, and if the infection progresses, it may
expose the mother to cirrhosis and liver cancer.Objective:The primary aim of this study
was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among pregnant women.
Additionally, the study examined the association of hepatitis B anpd C infections with
age, previous birth history, and history of miscarriage.Methods:This study was
conducted on 5,000 pregnant women attending Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul. Data
were collected from birth registration offices, and the results of hepatitis B and C tests
conducted prior to delivery were recorded along with other relevant variables and
subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Out of 5,000 pregnant women included in the
study, 34 (0.68%) tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and 7 (0.14%) tested
positive for hepatitis C antibodies. The highest prevalence of hepatitis C (0.6%) was
observed among women in the 17–26 year age group, whereas the highest prevalence
of hepatitis B (0.97%) was found in the 27–36 year age group. Conclusion: The
prevalence of hepatitis B and C among pregnant women in this study was lower than
that observed in the general population. A history of miscarriage showed a relative
association with hepatitis B and C infections in pregnant women, while no significant
association was found between these infections and previous live births. Increasing
awareness among women regarding the modes of viral transmission and the importance
of testing—especially during pregnancy—may be beneficial in controlling the spread
of these infections.