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v2.1.4829.produseast1

Journal Article > Research

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus in antenatal care and maternity services, Mozambique

Loarec A, Nguyen AP, Chissano M, Madeira N, Rusch B, Staderini N, Couto AM, Ciglenecki I, Antabak NT
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To pilot an intervention on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in an antenatal care and maternity unit in Maputo, Mozambique, during 2017-2019.

METHODS
We included HBV in the existing screening programme (for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis) for pregnant women at their first consultation, and followed mother-child dyads until 9 months after delivery. We referred women who tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for further tests, including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV viral load. According to the results, we proposed tenofovir for their own health or for PMTCT. We administered birth-dose HBV vaccine and assessed infant HBV status at 9 months.

FINDINGS
Of 6775 screened women, 270 (4.0%) were HBsAg positive; in those for whom data were available, 24/265 (9.1%) were HBeAg positive and 14/267 (5.2%) had a viral load of > 200 000 IU/mL. Ninety-eight (36.3%) HBsAg-positive women were HIV coinfected, 97 of whom were receiving antiretroviral treatment with tenofovir. Among HIV-negative women, four had an indication for tenofovir treatment and four for tenofovir PMTCT. Of 217 exposed liveborn babies, 181 (83.4%) received birth-dose HBV vaccine, 160 (88.4%) of these < 24 hours after birth. At the 9-month follow-up, only one out of the 134 tested infants was HBV positive.

CONCLUSION
Our nurse-led intervention highlights the feasibility of integrating PMTCT of HBV into existing antenatal care departments, essential for the implementation of the triple elimination initiative. Universal birth-dose vaccination is key to achieving HBV elimination.
Countries
Mozambique
Subject Area
women's healthvaccinationneonatal healthhepatitis B
DOI
10.2471/BLT.20.281311
Published Date
02-Dec-2021
PubMed ID
35017758
Languages
English
Journal
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 100, Issue 1, Pages 60-69
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