PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS AMONG EXPECTANT MOTHERS IN LAGOS ISLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL, NIGERIA

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is an infection characterized as one of the major public health problems in the globe, particularly in Nigeria. This may be because of unguided sexual intercourse and inadequate knowledge of the disease. The study examined prevalence and incidence of HBV among expectant mothers in Lagos Island general hospital, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Hat and draw sampling technique was adopted for study location while volunteer sampling method was used to draw a hundred subjects. Instrument used was a revalidated questionnaire using test-retest method of reliability coefficient and the result yielded 0.89. The instrument was factor loaded using exploratory factor analysis setting nunnally criterion at 0.6. Hypotheses were tested using X2 statistics at 0.05 alpha level. Findings showed significant relationships in incidence of HBV based on unsafe sexual activity (X2= 62.8,p<0.05) and inadequate knowledge (X2=53.6,p<0.0). The practice of safe sex and being knowledgeable about HBV may prevent its incidence among expectant mothers. A significant relationship also exists in terms of managing the occurrence of HBV among expectant mothers (X2=47.6, p<0.05). This indicates that though there exist HBV, it can still be managed. The study concluded that inadequate knowledge, unsafe sexual activity may lead to HBV infection.