FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING MILITARY HOSPITAL RAWALPINDI

Objective: To determine the frequency of hepatitis B viral markers among pregnant women attending Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Feb 2013 to Jul 2013. Material and Methods: A total of 9149 pregnant ladies were inducted in our study by non-probability convenient sampling in the Department of Gynae/Obs, Military Hospital Rwp during the study period and were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Results: The mean ± SD age of the study group was 27.5 ± 3.24 years. Frequency of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant ladies was 4.69%. Conclusion: The frequency of hepatitis B infection is quite high in pregnant women in Pakistan therefore proper screening of HBV and management programs must be introduced in all pregnant women attending ante natal clinics.