Evaluating The Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Pmtct Interventions: A Comparative Analysis of Models of Care in Sardauna and Kurmi Lgas, Taraba State, Nigeria

Background:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, where mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) contributes significantly to chronic infections. This study evaluated the effectiveness of HBV PMTCT interventions implemented in Sardauna LGA (2023) and Kurmi LGA (2024) in Taraba State, comparing screening coverage, prophylaxis uptake, and childhood immunization outcomes across the two models of care.
Methods:
A descriptive analysis was conducted using programme data from both LGAs, encompassing HBV/HCV screening among pregnant women, women of childbearing age (CBA), and male partners; initiation of Tenofovir prophylaxis for HBV-positive pregnant women; and uptake of HBV birth-dose and subsequent childhood vaccinations. Health worker capacity-building outputs and step-down training outcomes were also assessed.
Results:
In Sardauna LGA, 2,426 individuals were screened, identifying 99 HBsAg-positive and 34 Anti-HCV-positive cases; all 56 HBV-positive pregnant women received Tenofovir prophylaxis. Similarly, Kurmi LGA screened 1,435 individuals, identifying 101 HBsAg-positive and 65 Anti-HCV-positive cases, with full prophylaxis initiation for all 58 HBV-positive pregnant women. Birth-dose vaccination within 24 hours was high in both LGAs—1,357 infants in Sardauna and 850 in Kurmi—although attrition across the vaccine series persisted, with only 1,005 and 484 infants completing the pentavalent schedule, respectively. Screening indicators fell short of five-year EMTCT targets, whereas infant vaccination and health workforce training exceeded expectations. Step-down training improved health worker knowledge, service readiness, antenatal care uptake, HBV screening rates, and birth-dose vaccination performance.
Conclusion: The HBV PMTCT interventions demonstrated strong maternal prophylaxis coverage, improved service availability, and high birth-dose uptake across both LGAs. However, screening coverage for pregnant women, women of CBA, and male partners remained below targets, and vaccine completion rates showed notable drop-offs. Strengthening community outreach, improving facility-based deliveries, and enhancing follow-up systems are critical to achieving HBV EMTCT goals in Taraba State.

Hepatitis B, PMTCT, Tenofovir prophylaxis, birth-dose vaccination

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