TITLE:
Seroprevalence and Associated Factors of Viral Hepatitis E in Pregnant Women Receiving Antenatal Care at the Saint Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (2024)
AUTHORS:
Dieudonné Tialla, Jean Kingweze Kuhana, Ouendemaneguede Uriel Ouédraogo, Jean-Baptiste Sebou Dah, Mahoukèdè Théodora Zohoncon, Jacques Simporé
KEYWORDS:
Viral Hepatitis E, Zoonotic Transmission, Communicable Diseases, Pregnant Women, Public Health, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Epidemiology,
Vol.16 No.1,
December
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Viral hepatitis E is a major public health problem, particularly in pregnant women given the decline in immunity, with negative implications for the health of pregnant women and healthcare systems. Viral hepatitis E can be transmitted by ingesting contaminated meat, particularly from pigs and other animals. In Burkina Faso, few studies have been carried out on viral hepatitis E in pregnant women. This study aims to investigate the seroprevalence and associated factors of viral hepatitis E in pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou. A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou. The analysis was based on a sample of pregnant women, aged between 15 and 49 years. After informed consent, 5 ml of blood was drawn from each woman using a semi-structured questionnaire. Detection of anti-HEV antibodies (IgG) in human sera was performed using the ELISA serological method. Data analysis was carried out to determine seroprevalence and identify risk factors, using Stata software version 16.1, with a significance level of 5 %. A total of 208 pregnant women aged 15 to 49 were included in the study; 31.25 % were aged between 25 and 29, and the majority of women lived in urban areas 88.46%. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were found with a prevalence of 50% [43.14 - 56.85] (n = 104). With regard to the risk factors associated with infection: consumption of animal intestines [OR = 3.02 (1.66 - 5.49)] and consumption of fresh milk [OR = 3.27 (0.78 - 13.70)] 36.53% of IgG-positive pregnant women were in higher education; 6.73% lived mainly in unserved areas and therefore had no access to drinking water. Our study revealed a high prevalence of hepatitis E among pregnant women consulting the antenatal care service at Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The results highlight socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and dietary habits. An efficient control strategy based on raising public awareness of the risk factors for zoonotic transmission of this disease is essential to effectively strengthen public health. Implementing appropriate hygiene practices and providing information on the ways in which viral hepatitis E is transmitted could help reduce the rate of infection among those at risk.