SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS MARKE RS IN PREGNANT-WOMEN ATTENDED AT A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN NAVARRA

Objective. To design efficient massive immunization programs for newbo rns it is essential to know the prevalence of HBV infection in pregnan t women. As a contribution to this knowledge the prevalence of HBV mar kers was studied in pregnant women attended at a public hospital in Na varra. An assessment was also made of the relationship between prevale nce of HBV markers and other epidemiological factors. Methods. The ges tational history was reviewed of 2,499 pregnant women aged 14-45 years attended at the hospital during 1991. The following factors were inve stigated: age, profession, job, and educational level of the woman and her partner, residence, Health Area, risk factors and serological mar kers (HbsAG, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and, when appropriate, HBeAg/anti-Hbe . Results. The screening rate of HBsAg in the group of pregnant women was 70%; the prevalence of positive HbsAg was 0.70%. The respective pr evalence rates of anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and AMP were 6%, 7.5% and 8.6%. The type of residence, social class and risk exposure had influence on the prevalence of positive markers. Conclusions. The 70% of screening rate in the group of pregnant women is still far from reaching the go al of 95% intended in the Plan de Salud Infantil in Navarra for 1993. A prevalence of 0.70 for positive HBsAg was observed. No geographical differences were observed in the distribution of HBV markers, but its prevalence was influenced by the type of residence, social class and r isk exposure. A discussion follows whether a massive immunization prog ram form newborns in Navarra is warranted.