ABSTRACT
The global burden of co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) has a negative impact in Sub-Saharan Africa.WhenHIV, HBV and HCV co-exist, they become life threatening and with high fatality rate particularly in gestation in which transmission occurs vertically, causing fetal and neonatal hepatitis. The study aimed at examining the occurrence rate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) co -infection among expectant mothers attending antenatal clinic in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).The study population comprised of one hundred and fifty (150) pregnant women. Venous blood was used in the study and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies using commercially available immunoassay test kits. The prevalence of HCV, HIV and HBsAg among the pregnant subjects in relation to agegroup 21-30 and 31-40 in the study revealed a seropositive percentage of 0.7% and 1.3%. The other groups, however, showed no positive result among the three viruses.Furthermore, 0.7% of the pregnant women in their first, second and third trimester were co-infected with HCV and HBsAg while 1.3% out of 36.7% and 0.7% out of 61.3% of pregnant women within the age groups21-30 and 31-40 respectively were seropositive for HIV. In relation to gestational age, it was seen from the study that 0.7% of the pregnantwomen in their first, second and third trimester were seropositive for HCV and HBsAg respectively, while 2% of the HIV seropositive pregnant women were in their first trimester. The overall seroprevalence of HCV, HIV and HBsAg as revealed in the study showed that infection was found to be 2% respectively among the pregnant women. The reduced prevalence of hepatitis B (HBsAg), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection observed in the study among pregnant women attending antenatal care in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital may be attributed to the increase in the awareness amongst the general populace in Port Harcourt especially couples about the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B as wellas Hepatitis C.In other words, there is reduction in seroprevalence of HBsAg, HCV and HIV which is premised on the efficacy of sensitization particularly on HBV vaccination and preventive protocols for HIV.
ABSTRACT
Background:Pregnancy is the fertilization and development of an embryo or fetus in a woman's uterus. Itis a critical stage of development during which maternal nutrition can strongly influence obstetric and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pregnancy on some coagulation and haematological parameters of pregnant women residing in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Method: This case-control study investigated 80 pregnant subjects and 20 non-pregnant controls. Haematological parameters were determined using a fully automated The SysmexXP-300, while the coagulation parameters (PT and INR) were determined with the automated method. Results:The mean PT (s), HB (g/dl), PCV (%), PLT (x109/L), RBC (mcL), LYMPH (%), BASO (%) and EOSIN (%) counts were significantly lower among the pregnant subjects (5.02±5.82, 11.00±1.13 g/dl and 33.81±3.89%, 189.6±52.93 × 109/L, 3.95±0.50, 43.93±10.10 %, 0.9385±1.08 %and 1.12±1.32 %) compared to the non-pregnant controls (1.68±2.37, 12.01±1.29 g/dl, 37.31±3.39 %, 235.6±72.37 × 109/L, 4.45±0.35, 43.24±9.06, 2.11±0.94 and 2.15±1.47) respectively. There were no significant differences in the INR, MONO (%), MPV (fl), MCV (L/C), and MCH (g/c) between the pregnant subjects (0.92±0.11, 5.41±2.59 %, 11.67±4.848, 84.26±3.77 and 28.06±3.54) and non-pregnant controls (0.88±0.11, 5.58±2.65, 11.14±5.45, 82.52±10.45 and 26.96±1.85). The NEUT (%), PDW (%) and WBC (x109/L) were significantly higher among the pregnant subjects (44.90±11.24 %, 13.26±2.56 % and 8.35±2.982 x109/L) compared to the non-pregnant controls (46.63±9.96 %, 10.78±1.80 % and 4.71±0.81 x109/L). Conclusion:This study has shown that pregnancy has a significant effect on some haematological and coagulation parameters of pregnant women in Port Harcourt. The result of this research work indicates the need to routinely monitor the complete blood count, thrombocytopenia and hyper-coagulative activity among pregnant women of African descendant.