Serofrequency Of Hepatitis E Virus Among Pregnant Women Attending El Ribat University Hospital - Khartoum

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important enteric human pathogen worldwide distribution. It can cause sporadic cases as well as large epidemics of acute hepatitis. Many studies proved that HEV infection in pregnancy leads to poor maternal and fetal outcome, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. The current study is descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of HEV among pregnant women attending El Ribat University Hospital in Khartoum, during the period from April to August 2015. A total of 91 pregnant women were selected to participate in this study. Blood specimens were collected and serum was obtained then analysed for Anti HEV IgM by ELISA technique. Data were collected by direct interviewing questionnaires including age, gestational age, history of previous abortion, educational status and occupational status. Overall, the HEV IgM serofrequency rate among pregnant women was found to be 9 out of 91 (9.9%). Most of studied populations were in age range (26-35 years), third trimester, had no past history of abortion, educated, and were housewives. The result revealed that most of seropositive women (5(56%)) were in age group (15-25 years), (4(44.4%)) were in third trimester, (6(67%)) had no history of previous abortion, (7(78%)) among educated women, and (7(78%)) were housewives. It is therefore necessary according to results of this study to incorporate HEV screening for pregnant women and further studies should be conducted to better understand of HEV and it is relation to risk factors.