ArticleMalawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi2025
Epidemiology of hepatitis B and C viruses among pregnant women at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre Malawi.
Article in Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Acceptability of HBV, HCV, and HIV screening among injured patients presenting to the adult emergency department in Blantyre, Malawi.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Seroprevalence and Determinants of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections Among Pregnant Women Attending Debark General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.BioMed research international · 2026Article
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6 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Viral Hepatitis is a serious public health concern globally with an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually due to hepatitis B and C viruses. Prevention of mother to child transmission is a critical step toward elimination of hepatitis B and C. The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV among pregnant women at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among consecutive pregnant women attending routine antenatal care, and/or admitted at QECH in last quarter of 2021. Of the 114 pregnant women, 84 women consented to participate. Serum was tested for HBsAg and Anti-HCV markers using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and compared to Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: Of the 84 consenting pregnant women, the median age was 25.0 years (IQR: 21.0, 33.0). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected in 6.0% (n=5/84, 95% CI: 0.03-6.4) of participants using ELISA and in 1.2% (0.2-6.4; n=1/84), using RDTs, while none tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. There were no significant associations between HBV infection and any of the socio-demographic characteristics or assessed risk factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV (6%) and HCV (0%) in this population was lower than reported in previous studies of the general Malawian population, where HBV seroprevalence was estimated at 8.1% and HCV below 1%. We highlight potential underdiagnosis using RDTs for HBV, an ongoing significant rate of HBV infection, and a very low prevalence of HCV. Accessible screening and treatment for all positive pregnant women remains essential to eliminate vertical transmission.
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