Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Prevalence among Pregnant Women in Rafsanjan City, Iran, 2003

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus from infected mother to infant often leads r long-term sequel. A descriptive study was designed in 600 pregnant women delivering in Niknafs Hospital of Rafsanjan city, March - Auguest 2003. Maternal venous blood samples were collected and tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), by ELISA. 8 cases with positive HBsAg were found (1.3%) (95% CI = 1.26%-1.35%). The mean of age was 26.2+1 5.3 years, and mean no. of gravidity was 2.143+/-1.41. There was a history of hepatitis B vaccination only in 1% of pregnant women. There was a significant corrolation between HBsAg positivity and history of to be born in Rafsanjan, drug usage of the pregnant woman or her husband, and having tattoo (P<0.05). Hepatitis B vaccination should be considered in women of child-bearing age to prevent prenatal HBV infection.