Abstract

There is paucity of published reports on triple infections of HBV, HCV and HIV in pregnant women in Nigeria.In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence, coinfection, sociodemographic and risk factors of the viral infections among pregnant women in Keffi, Central Nigeria. This prospective cross sectional study was carried out between June through August 2019, blood samples were collected from 400 consenting pregnant women in major hospitals in Keffi. Before commencement of the study, ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained and structured questionnaire were administered to each participant. Samples were analysed for HBsAg, anti-HCVand anti-HIV antibodies using rapid diagnostic test kits. Out of the 400 women tested, 22 (5.5%), 12 (3.0%) and 14 (3.5%) were positive for HBV, HCV and HIV infections. Co-infections were eleven (2.8%), six (1.5%), and three (0.8%) for HBV/HCV, HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV respectively. Those women aged less than 20 years old were more likely to be infected with HBV and HIV, while those aged >51 years had the highest prevalence for HCV infection. Only educational status was associated with HCV infection in this study (p < 0.05). Age, marital status, locality, occupation, history of blood transfusion, tribal marks, types of family, parity, self-manicure and pedicure were not statistically associated with the infections (p > 0.05). This is the first public report that has successfully reported the seroprevalence of these viruses together among pregnant women in Nasarawa State. The overall findings stressed the need for antenatal-based intervention to curb the infections in Nigeria.