Browsing by Author "OTIM PATRICK"

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    Hepatitis B virus sero prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women and their male partners attending Gulu regional referral hospital antenatal clinic
    (Gulu University, 2026) OTIM PATRICK
    Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern due to its potential to cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Uganda, pregnant women are routinely screened for HBV during antenatal care (ANC); however, screening of male partners and evidence on HBV seroprevalence and sero-concordance and discordance among couples remain limited, particularly in Northern Uganda. Understanding the burden of HBV infection and associated factors among couples attending ANC is essential for informing integrated screening, vaccination, and prevention strategies. Objective: To determine Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) seroprevalence and associated factors among pregnant women and their partner attending antenatal care (ANC) clinic of Gulu Regional Referral hospital (GRRH), Gulu, Uganda. Methods: Between December 2023 and February 2024, a hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among eligible pregnant women and their male partners attending ANC of GRRH. Following systematic random sampling, pretested questionnaire was administered by an interviewer. Blood samples were collected for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid test, which was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative data was analysed using logistic regression in STATA version 15 SE. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 242 couple pairs were enrolled. Overall, 8.3% (n=40/484) participants were seropositive for HBsAg; A mong the males, Male partners (10.7%, n=26/242) and among pregnant women (5.8%, n=14/242). Sero-concordance 87.6% (212/242), (Male partners negative [-ve] and pregnant women [-ve]; 83.5%, n=202/242), (Male partners positive [+ve] and pregnant women [+ve]; 4.1%, n=10/242) and sero-discordance was 12.4% (30/242), (Male partners +ve and pregnant women -ve; 8.7%, n=21/242), (Male partners -ve and pregnant women +ve; 3.7%, n=9/242). Factors associated with positive HBsAg were, being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.45, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.15 - 5.21, p=0.02), daily alcohol consumption (aOR: 4.73, 95% CI: 1.40 -16.04, p=0.01), and no prior vaccination against HBV (aOR: 12.01, 95% CI: 4.07 - 35.65, p<0.001). Conclusion: There is a high HBsAg seropositivity rate, particularly among male partners of pregnant women. Male sex, daily alcohol consumption, and lack of prior HBV vaccination were significantly associated with infection. There is an urgent need for couple-based HBV screening during antenatal care, targeted vaccination of unvaccinated individuals, and counselling on alcohol reduction. In addition, strengthening and sensitising young people on premarital HBV screening is essential to reduce transmission