Co-Infection of Hepatitis and Malaria and its effect on Pregnant Women of Pakistan. A public Health Concern

Abstract

The co-infection of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and malaria poses a serious risk to public health in all parts of the world, In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg),Hepatitis C,(HCV) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) were used to screen blood samples taken from 500 pregnant women who appeared to be in good health for Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and HBsAg, HCV, respectively. Structured questionnaires were used to gather pertinent sociodemographic data. For P. falciparum mono-infection, HBV mono-infection, and HCV mono-infection prevalence of the infections was 95(19%),87(17.4%) and 71(14.2%) respectively.

Ages 31 to 40 were when single and concurrent infections peaked, but as people aged, they were less common. The prevalence of P. falciparum, 67 (70.5%) greater than vivax28 (29.5%), the coinfection was highest of 40(8%) of malaria and hepatitis B. Due to high levels of illiteracy and a lack of compliance with the use of nets, malaria is still very common among pregnant women. In order to eradicate malaria in endemic areas, frequent screening and education of expectant mothers are essential. The  prevalence of both hepatitis B  and C and malaria co-  infection with Hepatitis Band   C indicates that further requirement in HBV and HCV  vaccine availability for free or nominal rates  to significantly lessen the illness burden among expectant mothers.