Serological Prevalence Of Hepatitis E Virus (Hev) Among Pregnant Women Attending Health-Care Centers In Ekiti State.

ABSTRACT

The current prevalence of HEY among pregnant women attending antenatal care at major health-care

centers in Ekiti State Nigeria was investigated. Ninety (90) serum samples and demographic

information were collected from consenting pregnant women aged between 15-45 years and screened

for anti-HEY specific lgM antibody using rapid ELISA test kits (CTK Biotech, Inc. USA). Data were

analysed using SPSS software version 20.0 and Chi-square test. Three out of ninety (3.3%) serum

samples within the age group of 25-35 years tested positive for HEY lgM. Chi-square analysis shows a

statistically significant association between HEV infection and blood transfusion as against sociodemographic

characteristics and household characteristics. This study reveals a generally low

prevalence of HEV among the subjects; however, public enlightenment about environmental and

personal hygiene before and during pregnancy must be maintained in order to keep the rate of HEV infection very low in Ekiti State.