Volume 2022, Issue 2

Abstract

Hepatitis infections, particularly hepatitis B and C, threaten public health to a great extent. They can be directly transferred from pregnant women to their fetuses, either in utero or postpartum. In Saudi Arabia, there is a variation in the prevalence of both infections among women throughout the country’s regions. Thus, it is necessary to examine women for probable infections by any of these types of hepatitis to prevent hepatitis transmission.

To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections among women in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia during 2016-2020.

A retrospective cohort study was performed on the cumulative sero-prevalence of hepatitis B and C among 23,462 women who attended the maternity hospital in Ha’il, Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA), from the period of 2016-2020.

The analysis revealed that the hepatitis B infection (sero-prevalence 0.27%; 64 cases) is more prevalent than hepatitis C infection (sero-prevalence 0.077%, 18 cases) among women. Both infections were higher among Saudi compared to non-Saudi nationals. Moreover, hepatitis B sero-prevalence increases with women’s age, while HCVAb was higher in the group 40 – <50 years old. The data also showed no trends throughout months, seasons, and years for HCVAb and HBsAg cases. Conclusion: The results show a dramatic decline in both types of hepatitis (B and C) among the investigated women compared to previous and recent reports from other regions in the country and a further decrease in the prevalence during the study period. These results imply that the hepatitis B vaccination program implemented in Ha’il over the last 30 years has been successful for females. Therefore, surveillance, improved diagnostic facilities, and vaccination efforts should be continued in Ha’il, KSA.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.5339/avi.2022.10
2022-11-17
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/avi/2022/2/avi.2022.10.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.5339/avi.2022.10&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. World Health Organization. Global hepatitis report, 2017. [Internet]. 2017. [Cited 2022 Mar 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/ publications/i/item/9789241565455
  2. Kulik L, El-Serag HB. Epidemiology and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Gastroenterology. 2019 Jan 1; 156:(2):477-91.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Sy T, Jamal MM. Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Int J Med Sci. 2006; 3:(2):41-6.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Al-Mandeel H, Alansary M, Algawahmed F, Al-Mojally H, Alfaleh K, Aldakhyel L. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency viruses in Saudi pregnant women and rates of vertical transmission. KMJ. 2015; 47:(03):221-4.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Zhang S, Li RT, Wang Y, Liu Q, Zhou YH, Hu Y. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among pregnant women in Jiangsu, China, 17 years after introduction of hepatitis B vaccine. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2010 Jun; 109:(3):194-7.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Stevens CE, Toy PT, Tong MJ, Taylor PE, Vyas GN, Nair PV, et al. Perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission in the United States: prevention by passive-active immunization. JAMA. 1985 Mar 22-29; 253:(12):1740-5.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. World Health Organization. Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021. Towards ending viral hepatitis. [Internet]. 2016 [Cited 2022 Apr 3]. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/246177.
  8. Sherman KE. Management of the hepatitis B virus/HIV–coinfected patient. Top Antivir Med. 2015 Aug-Sep; 23:(3):111-4.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Millman AJ, Nelson NP, Vellozzi C. Hepatitis C: Review of the epidemiology, clinical care, and continued challenges in the direct-acting antiviral era. Curr Epidemiol Rep. 2017 Jun; 4:(2):174-85.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Gasim GI. Hepatitis B virus in the Arab world: Where do we stand? J Gastroenterol. 2013 Jun; 14:(2):35-43.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Qirbi N, Hall AJ. Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in the Middle East. East Mediterr Health J. 2001; 7: (6)1034-45.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. World Health Organization. Global hepatitis report. [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 June]. Avaialbe from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
  13. Data MoHO. Reported Cases and Incidence Rates of Certain Notifiable Communicable Diseases during 1435 and 1439H. [Internet]. 2020 [Cited 2022 Jan 15]. Available from: https://data.gov.sa/Data/en/dataset/eported_cases_and_incidence_rates_of_certain_ notifiable_communicable_diseases_during_1435_and_1439h.
  14. Tufenkeji H, Kattan H. Childhood immunization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ann Saudi Med. 1994 Mar; 14:(2):91-3.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Alrowaily MA, Abolfotouh MA, Ferwanah MS. Hepatitis B virus sero-prevalence among pregnant females in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2008 Apr; 14:(2):70-2.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Farzaei MH, Zobeiri M, Parvizi F, El-Senduny FF, Marmouzi I, Coy-Barrera E, et al. Curcumin in liver diseases: a systematic review of the cellular mechanisms of oxidative stress and clinical perspective. Nutrients. 2018 Jul 1; 10:(7):855.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Abuelgasim MH, Baraka MBK. Prevalence of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women at Khartoum teaching hospital, Sudan. J US-China Med Sci. 2015; 12:(2):58-63.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Çınar Tanrıverdi E, Özkurt Z, Göktuğ Kadıoğlu B, Alay H, Çalıkoğlu O, Koca Ö, et al. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV in pregnant women from Eastern Turkey. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2019 Mar; 30:(3):260-5.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Kirbak ALS, Ng’ang’a Z, Omolo J, Idris H, Usman A, Mbabazi WB. Sero-prevalence for Hepatitis B virus among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Juba Teaching Hospital, Republic of South Sudan. Pan Afr Med J. 2017 Feb 20;26:32.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Kishk R, Mandour M, Elprince M, Salem A, Nemr N, Eida M, et al. Pattern and interpretation of hepatitis B virus markers among pregnant women in North East Egypt. Braz J Microbiol. 2020 Jun; 51:(2):593-600.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Lembo T, Saffioti F, Chiofalo B, Granese R, Filomia R, Grasso R, et al. Low prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus serum markers in a cohort of pregnant women from Southern Italy. Dig Liver Dis. 2017;Dec; 49:(12):1368-72.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Moghaddasifar I, Lankarani KB, Moosazadeh M, Afshari M, Malary M. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Iran: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Iran J Cancer Prev. 2016 Oct 4; 9:(6):e3703.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Ruiz-Extremera Á, Díaz-Alcázar MdM, Muñoz-Gámez JA, Cabrera-Lafuente M, Martín E, Arias-Llorente RP, et al. Seroprevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis B and C viruses in pregnant women in Spain. Risk factors for vertical transmission. PLoS One. 2020 May 21; 15:(5):e0233528.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Al Awaidy S, Abu-Elyazeed R, Al Hosani H, Al Mulla A, Al Busaiedy S, Al Amiry A, et al. Sero-epidemiology of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. J Infect. 2006;Mar; 52:(3):202-6.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Murad EA, Babiker SM, Gasim GI, Rayis DA, Adam I. Epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in pregnant women in Sana’a, Yemen. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013 Jun 7; 13:(1):127.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Nabulsi M, Khalil A, Farah A, Araj GF. Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant Lebanese women. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1997 Aug; 58:(2):243-4.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Al-Humayed SM. Hepatitis B and C viral infections in Tihamet Aseer, south-western Saudi Arabia: Are there gender differences? Saudi J Med Med Sci. 2017 May-Aug; 5:(2):110-5.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Albadran A, Hibshi A, Saeed B, Sedar C, Awartani KA. Hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in couples attending an in vitro fertilization clinic in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia: comparison with ten years earlier. Ann Saudi Med. 2017 Jul-Aug; 37:(4):272-5.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Khafagy A, AlJahdaly I, Goweda R. Hepatitis B Vaccine: Assessment of Immunologic Response, Coverage Rate, and Factors Influencing Seroreactivity (Abstract). Clin Lab. 2020 Jul 1; 66:(7).
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Alshayea AI, Eid GE, El-Hazmi MM, Alhetheel AF. Prevalence and characterization of occult hepatitis B infection among blood donors in central Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J. 2016;Oct; 37:(10):1114-9.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Alzahrani FM, Muzaheed , Shaikh SS, Alomar AI, Acharya S, Elhadi N. Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Among Blood Donors in Eastern Saudi Arabia: Results From a Five-Year Retrospective Study of HBV Seromarkers. Ann Lab Med . 2019;Jan; 39:(1):81-5.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. El Beltagy KE, Al Balawi IA, Almuneef M, Memish ZA. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among blood donors in a tertiary hospital in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia. Int J Infect Dis. 2008;Sep; 12:(5):495-9.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Spera AM, Eldin TK, Tosone G, Orlando R. Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C: Has anything changed for pregnant/lactating women? World J Hepatol. 2016 Apr 28; 8:(12):557-65.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Hughes BL, Page CM, Kuller JA, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Hepatitis C in pregnancy: screening, treatment, and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;Nov; 217:(5):B2-B12.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. Bashour H, Muhjazi G. Hepatitis B and C in the Syrian Arab Republic: a review. East Mediterr Health J. 2016; 22:(4):267-73.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Abdullah SM. Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus infection and their co-relation with hematological and hepatic parameters in subjects undergoing Premarital Screening in the Jazan Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pak J Med Sci. 2018 Mar-Apr; 34:(2):316-21.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Al Kubaisy WA, Niazi AD, Kubba K. History of miscarriage as a risk factor for hepatitis C virus infection in pregnant Iraqi women. EMHJ. 2002; 8: (2-3): 239-244.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Kamal SM, Mahmoud S, Hafez T, EL-Fouly R. Viral hepatitis A to E in South Mediterranean countries. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 2010 Feb 10; 2:(1):e2010001.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Al-Mughales JA. Co-infection assessment in HBV, HCV, and HIV patients in Western Saudi Arabia. J Med Virol. 2016;Sep; 88:(9):1545-51.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. Franco E, Bagnato B, Marino MG, Meleleo C, Serino L, Zaratti L. Hepatitis B: Epidemiology and prevention in developing countries. World J Hepatol. 2012 Mar 27; 4:(3):74-80.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Fares A. Seasonality of hepatitis: a review update. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015 Jan-Mar; 4:(1):96-100.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Al-Naaimi AS, Turky AM, Khaleel HA, Jalil RW, Mekhlef OA, Kareem SA, et al. Predicting acute viral hepatitis serum markers (A and E) in patients with suspected acute viral hepatitis attending primary health care centers in Baghdad: A one year cross-sectional study. Glob J Health Sci. 2012 Aug 21; 4:(5):172-83.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.5339/avi.2022.10
Loading
/content/journals/10.5339/avi.2022.10
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Keyword(s): hepatitis B, hepatitis C, women, sero-prevalence, epidemiology, Saudi Arabia

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed