The seroprevalence of hepatitis-B among pregnant women attending ANC at Tayo Hospital Baidoa-Somalia
Mohamed Adan Ahmed
Mohamed Adan Ahmed, Department of Public Health, Accord University, Mogadishu, Somalia
Faysal Mohamed Bakaal
Faysal Mohamed Bakaal, Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed
Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed, Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mohamed Hussein Abdirahman
Mohamed Hussein Abdirahman, Department of Public Health, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abdi Barre Abdi
Abdi Barre Abdi, Department of Nutrition, Accord University, Mogadishu, Somalia
Mohamed Hussein Hassan
Mohamed Hussein Hassan, Department of Public Health, University of Somalia, Mogadishu, Somalia
Fardowsa Ibrahim Osman
Fardowsa Ibrahim Osman, Department of Nutrition, Baidoa International University, Baidoa, Somalia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/mmr.v3i2.11825
Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Seroprevalence; Pregnant women; Antenatal care; Somalia.
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health concern, particularly in high-prevalence regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. In Somalia, maternal HBV screening and vaccination programs are limited, contributing to a high risk of mother-to-child transmission.
Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and assess related awareness, testing history, and preventive knowledge among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Tayo Hospital, Baidoa, Somalia.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 pregnant women selected through simple random sampling at Tayo Hospital between July 2022 and March 2023. Data were collected using structured questionnaires on socio-demographic characteristics, HBV knowledge, and risk factors. Blood samples (3 mL) were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using rapid diagnostic test kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, with results summarized in frequencies and percentages.
Results:The majority of participants (57.5%) were aged 21–26 years, and 41.3% were illiterate. Only 18.8% had ever been tested for HBV, and 18.8% had received vaccination. HBsAg positivity was detected in 35 out of 80 respondents, yielding a high seroprevalence of 43.8%. Knowledge of HBV prevention was generally low; only 26.3% identified vaccination as a preventive measure, and misconceptions—such as airborne transmission—were common. Major information sources were magazines (20.0%), television (16.3%), and the internet (15.0%), with limited health-professional engagement.
Conclusion: HBV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Baidoa is alarmingly high, compounded by low testing uptake, low vaccination coverage, and inadequate awareness. Strengthening routine antenatal HBV screening, increasing vaccination access, and enhancing health education are critical for preventing maternal and neonatal transmission.
References
1.Larebo YM, Anshebo AA, Abdo RA, Behera SK, Gopalan N. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Plos one. 2024 Jul 16;19(7):e0305838.
2.Bittaye M, Idoko P, Ekele BA, Obed SA, Nyan O. Hepatitis B virus sero-prevalence amongst pregnant women in the Gambia. BMC infectious diseases. 2019 Mar 15;19(1):259.
3.Aba HO, Aminu M. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus serological markers among pregnant Nigerian women. Annals of African medicine. 2016 Jan 1;15(1):20-7.
4.Yirsaw BG, Agimas MC, Alemu GG, Tesfie TK, Derseh NM, Abuhay HW, Alemayehu MA, Yismaw GA. Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and its determinants among pregnant women in East Africa: Systematic review and Meta-analysis. Plos one. 2024 Jul 12;19(7):e0307102.
5.Dahie HA, Heyle AA. Prevalence of hepatitis B and its associated factors among pregnant women in Mogadishu, Somalia. Archives of Business Research. 2017 Nov 29;5(11).
6.Akter T, Ali MR, Faruquee MN, Bashir MS, Rahaman S, Rahman MA, Islam S. A Comprehensive Study of Hepatitis B Infections in Bangladesh: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Clinical-Laboratory Correlations. Viral Infections and Cancer Research. 2024;1(1):8426.
7.Kabore HJ. Progress toward hepatitis B control and elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus—World Health Organization African Region, 2016–2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2023;72.
8.Riches N, Henrion MY, MacPherson P, Hahn C, Kachala R, Mitchell T, Murray D, Mzumara W, Nkoka O, Price AJ, Riches J. Vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus in the WHO African region: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health. 2025 Mar 1;13(3):e447-58.
9.Woodring J. Progress toward hepatitis B control and elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus—Western Pacific Region, 2005–2017. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2019;68.
10.Alleman MM. Progress Toward Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus—Region of the Americas, 2012–2022. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2024;73.
11.Olakunde BO, Adeyinka DA, Olakunde OA, Uthman OA, Bada FO, Nartey YA, Obiri-Yeboah D, Paintsil E, Ezeanolue EE. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Nigeria. PloS one. 2021 Oct 29;16(10):e0259218.
12.Fessehaye N, Berhane A, Ahmed H, Mohamed S, Tecle F, Gikunju J, Odari E. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated seromarkers among pregnant women in Eritrea. J Hum Virol Retrovirol. 2018;6(1):00191.
13.Hassan SA, Ahmed YM, Almugadam BS, Hassan YS. Prevalence and associated factors for hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at SOS Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Frontiers in Global Women's Health. 2024 May 21;5:1279088.
14.Kafeero HM, Ndagire D, Ocama P, Walusansa A, Sendagire H. Sero-prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus–hepatitis B virus (HIV–HBV) co-infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the associated risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Virology journal. 2020 Nov 7;17(1):170.
15.Mohamud OM, Abdi AM, Osman WA, Ahmed AH, Osman NH, Tahlil AA. Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending Demartino hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2025 May 24;25(1):748.
16.Spearman CW, Afihene M, Ally R, Apica B, Awuku Y, Cunha L, Dusheiko G, Gogela N, Kassianides C, Kew M, Lam P. Hepatitis B in sub-Saharan Africa: strategies to achieve the 2030 elimination targets. The lancet gastroenterology & hepatology. 2017 Dec 1;2(12):900-9.
17.Asgedom YS, Kassie GA, Woldegeorgis BZ, Meskele Koyira M, Kebede TM. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and factors associated among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Women's Health. 2024 Mar;20:17455057241235881.
18.Bittaye M, Idoko P, Ekele BA, Obed SA, Nyan O. Hepatitis B virus sero-prevalence amongst pregnant women in the Gambia. BMC infectious diseases. 2019 Mar 15;19(1):259.
19.Nour HM, Ali IA. Sero-Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Edna Adan University Hospital Hargeisa, Somaliland, 2022-A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Womens Health Wellness. 2022;8(140):2474-1353.
20.Tapia MD, Veeraraghavan B, Kwatra G, Madhi SA. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women and cord blood hepatitis B surface antigen positive newborns in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Journal of Clinical Virology. 2025;179(10582):6.
21.Doğan S, Mohamud SM, Ali AM, Orhan Z, Doğan A, Mohamud RY. Seroprevalence of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, hiv and syphilis among blood donors at a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu-Somalia in 2020–2022: a retrospective study. BMC Public Health. 2024 Sep 10;24(1):2463.
22.Wondmeneh TG, Mekonnen AT. Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2024 Sep 5;24(1):921.
23.Bokop C, Dhar N, Izu A, Thaver-Kleitman J, Prabdial-Sing N, Ali MM, Akaba G, Barsosio HC, Berkley JA, Beck MM, Chaka TE. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women and cord blood hepatitis B surface antigen positive newborns in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Journal of Clinical Virology. 2025 Jun 11:105826.
24.Luuse A, Dassah S, Lokpo S, Ameke L, Noagbe M, Adatara P, Hagan O, Binka F. Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen amongst pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic, Volta region, Ghana. Journal of public health in Africa. 2017 Jan 19;7(2):584.