Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus markers in pregnant women in West Java, Indonesia

In Bandung, West Java, 300 consecutive pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers at a prenatal consultation. The prevalence of HBsAg and of anti-HBs/anti-HBc was 4.7% (14/300) and 35.6% (107/300) respectively, while 59.7% (179/300) was sero-negative. Prevalence of HBV markers increased significantly with both age and parity. Women with less schooling and a low socioeconomic class seemed to be at higher risk for HBV infection (HBV-markers prevalence of 49.3% (35/71) and 58.3% (21/36) respectively). Among employed women, the subgroup of school-teachers had a significantly higher HBV-markers prevalence of 54.8% (23/42), with a HBsAg carrier rate of 11.9% (5/42). This could indicate an important nonparenteral transmission of HBV in schools. The prevalence of HBeAg in HBsAg positive women was 64.3% (9/14). Based on historical data on perinatal HBV transmission, this would lead to a HBV carriership in 2.4 to 3.5% of all newborns. Possible strategies of prevention of HBV infection in newborns are briefly discussed.