Hepatitis B virus seroprevalence and vaccine uptake among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care at the Mount Mary Hospital Buea, South West Region
Authors
Biaka University Institute of Buea, Cameroon\Regional Delegation of Public Health, South-West, Buea, Cameroon (Cameroun)
Biaka University Institute of Buea, Cameroon (Cameroun)
Biaka University Institute of Buea, Cameroon (Cameroon)
Biaka University Institute of Buea, Cameroon\Dex Higher Institute of Biomedical Science Management and Technology Limbe, Cameroon (Cameroon)
Article Information
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-08-05
Accepted: 2026-08-10
Published: 2026-08-25
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where chronic infection is highly endemic. HBV can be transmitted vertically from mother to child during pregnancy or at delivery. Although vaccination is highly effective in preventing HBV infection and mother-to-child transmission, vaccine uptake among women of reproductive age remains suboptimal in many low- and middle-income countries. This study determined the seroprevalence of HBV infection, hepatitis B vaccine uptake, and identified barriers to vaccine uptake among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Mount Mary Hospital Buea. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 pregnant women, recruited using convenience sampling after providing written informed consent. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Venous blood samples were collected and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using a rapid immunochromatographic assay. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25. Results: The mean age of participants was predominantly 20–24 years (36.7%). The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus was 8.3%. Only 24 (20.0%) participants reported previous hepatitis B vaccination, while only five (4.2%) had completed the recommended three-dose vaccination schedule. Major barriers to vaccine uptake included vaccine is too expensive (80%), unaware of infection in unborn baby (80%), do not know where to get the vaccine (74%) and fear of vaccine side effects (70%). Conclusion: HBV infection remains moderately endemic among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mount Mary Hospital, while hepatitis B vaccine uptake is unacceptably low.
Keywords
Antenatal care, Barriers, Buea, hepatitis B virus, Mount Mary Hospital, pregnant women, seroprevalence, vaccine uptake
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References
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