Awareness and prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria: A national pilot cross-sectional study

Background: There are no national data on hepatitis C virus awareness and burden among pregnant women to justify its routine screening. Objectives: To investigate awareness, seroprevalence risk factors for infection in Nigeria. Methods: A total of 159 from antenatal clinics across six geopolitical zones Nigeria consented anti-hepatitis testing which was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Confirmed positive were further tested B HIV. Participants evaluated virus. Odds ratios, adjusted odds their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) determined, p-values <0.05 considered significant. Results: Of participants, 77 (48.4%; interval = 38.2%–60.5%) aware associated with young age (odds ratio 2.21; 1.16–4.21), high educational level 3.29; 1.63–6.64), participants’ occupation 0.51; 0.26–0.99). In multivariable logistic regression, confounders, the association between (adjusted 1.60; 1.09–2.35; p 0.018) 1.48; 1.17–1.86; 0.001) remained Hepatitis found be 1.3% (95% 0.2%–4.5%). All (100.0%, 12.1%–100.0%) virus-positive participants 99 (63.1%, 51.3%–76.8%) virus-negative had identifiable factors. Dual seropositivity virus/anti-HIV virus/hepatitis surface antigen each accounted 0.6%. The most identified multiple sexual partners (15.7%), shared needles (13.8%), blood transfusion (11.3%). significant status. Conclusion: Awareness is low those positively influenced by level. prevalence provides preliminary evidence