Experiments on the Seroprevalences and Associated Factors of Viral Infections (HIV, Hepatitis B and C) among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at the Yaoundé Central Hospital

A viral infection is a proliferation of a harmful virus inside the body. HIV infection, viral hepatitis B
(HBV) and C (HCV) constitute a public health problem. The objective of this study was to assess
seroprevalences and associated factors of these infections among pregnant women. We carried out a
cross-sectional and analytical study. We consecutively enrolled 360 women attending ANC. Blood
samples were collected to screen for HIVAb, HBsAg and HCVAb through rapid diagnostic tests, and
confirmed at the “Centre Pasteur” laboratory of Cameroon. The mean age was 27.99 +/- 5.63 years,
ranging from 15 and 47 years. The prevalence of HIVAb, HBsAg and HCVAb were 13.1% (n = 47),
9.4% (n = 34) and 1.7% (n = 6) respectively. We had 1.4% and 0.6% of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV coinfections
respectively. Independent risk factors associated with HIV were: The level of primary study
(OR: 7.97; 95% CI = 2.23 - 28.49; P = 0.001) and multiple sexual partners (OR: 4 79; 95% CI = 1.79 -
12.79, P = 0.002). Multiple sexual partners was the Independent risk factor associated with HBsAg
(OR: 11.62; 95% CI = 5.057 - 26.731; P = <0.001). No factor was associated with HCVAb. Increased
awareness, promotion of screening and / or treatment of infections and immunization against HBV in
the general population and in women of childbearing age in particular, would reduce their impact and
therefore prevent their horizontal and vertical transmission.