The risk of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a predominant route of infection for children in Ethiopia. No study has so far reported a nationwide estimate of the risk of MTCT of HBV. We conducted a meta-analysis of surveys and estimated the pooled risk of MTCT of...

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Main Authors: Belaynew W Taye, Girum Meseret Ayenew, Zewdu Wasie Taye, Melashu Balew, Eden Bishaw Taye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2023-06-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/17931
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Summary:Introduction: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a predominant route of infection for children in Ethiopia. No study has so far reported a nationwide estimate of the risk of MTCT of HBV. We conducted a meta-analysis of surveys and estimated the pooled risk of MTCT of HBV in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methodology: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Africa Index Medicus, and Google Scholar databases for peer-reviewed articles. The pooled risk of MTCT of HBV was estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird technique with logit transformed proportions and statistical heterogeneity was estimated using I2 statistic, which was explored by subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Results: The overall pooled risk of MTCT of HBV in Ethiopia was 25.5% (95% CI, 13.4%–42.9%). In women without HIV infection, the risk of MTCT of HBV was 20.7% (95% CI 2.8%–70.4%), and 32.2% (95% CI 28.1%–36.7%) in women with HIV infection. After excluding the outlier study, the risk of MTCT of HBV in studies that included only HIV negative women was 9.4% (95% CI, 5.1%–16.6%). Conclusions: The risk of MTCT of HBV in Ethiopia widely varied by HBV/HIV coinfection. A sustainable control and elimination of HBV in Ethiopia requires improved access to birth-dose HBV vaccine and implement immunoglobulin prophylaxis for exposed infants. Given the limited health resources in Ethiopia, prenatal antiviral prophylaxis integrated with antenatal care may be a cost-effective approach to significantly reduce the risk of MTCT of HBV.
ISSN:1972-2680