Ap. Delgado et al., SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS MARKE RS IN PREGNANT-WOMEN ATTENDED AT A PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN NAVARRA, Revista Clinica Espanola, 194(10), 1994, pp. 891-896
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.