International Journal of Basic and Applied Virology 1(1): 01-05, 2012 ISSN 2222-1298 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ijbav.2012.1.1.55223 Corresponding Author: Bankole Henry Oladeinde, Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo-state, Nigeria. Tel: +2348053096120. 1 Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections among Pregnant Women in a Rural Community of Nigeria Bankole Henry Oladeinde, Richard Omoregie, 1 2 Mitsan Olley, Joshua. Ahamdi. Anunibe and Oladapo Babatunde Oladeinde 3 3 4 Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, 1 Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo-state, Nigeria School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, 2 P.M.B 1111, Benin City, Edo-state, Nigeria Department of Pathology, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Okada, Edo-State, Nigeria 3 National Fistula Center Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria 4 Abstract: Hepatiatis B and C viral infections are global health problems.Data on the prevalence of these viruses among preganat women in rural Nigeria is missing. This study was carried out with a view to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus infections in pregnant women in Okada Community of Edo State,Nigeria and assess risk factors for their transmission. Venous blood was collected from two hundred and sixty seven (267) pregnant women with age ranging from 13-42 years. A questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information from participating pregnant women. Samples were investigated for antibodies to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) using immunochromatographic methods. The prevalences of Hepatitis B and C viral infections in pregnant women were 5.6% and 1.1 % respectively. Parity, age and presence of facial scarification did not significantly affect infection with HBV and HCV in pregnant women. History of blood transfusion was found to be associated with HBV infection in this study (OR=3.318, 95%CI=1.067, 10.318, P= 0.046). Delivery by traditonal birth attendant significanty affected the prevalence of HCV in pregnant women (OR=12.424, 95%CI= 0. 6345, 234.2, P= 0.049). Hepatitis B and C virus infections in pregnant women in Okada is not uncommon. Routine screening of all pregnant women, enlightenment on mode of transmission and provision of improved blood screening and transfusion services are advocated. Key words: Pregnancy HBV HCV Rural community Nigeria INTRODUCTION [6]. Acute hepatiatis in pregnancy has been shown to Infections with Hepatitis B and C viruses are global attendant effects [7,8 ]. Vertical transmission of HBV and public health problems [1,2]. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) HCV have also been reported [9,10 ]. Unlike in developed infection affects over 350 million people worldwide [2], countries of the world where HBV infection occurs reaching endemic proportions in sub Saharan Africa predominantly in adults and in resource poor settings, [3]. Available data show that about 3% of the world high number of infants and children are infected, population is infected with Hepatiatis C virus (HCV) with approximately 90% of whom were infected at birth [11]. the highest prevalence rate recorded in Africa [2]. HBV Screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B Virus and HCV infections have also been reported to be therefore could be a reliable indicator of its prevalence in endemic in Nigeria [4,5]. the general population and a useful tool in the prevention Viral hepatiatis during pregnancy is associated with of mother to child transmission. high risk of maternal, foetal and neonatal complications Risk factors for transmission include unprotected induce premature labour and prematurity with its