Évaluation du risque de transmission materno-fœtale du virus de l’hépatite B en consultation prénatale à Vientiane, Laos Assessment of mother-to-child HBV transmission at the prenatal consultation in Vientiane, Laos

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains highly endemic in Laos, mainly related to mother to child transmission. Despite the introduction of the vaccination against HBV in the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 2001 and the administration of a vaccine birth dose as part of a 3-dose schedule since 2004, infant immunization coverage remains inadequate because most mothers are not aware of the risks. A survey was conducted in early 2013 in Vientiane capital among women who undergo serologic screening for hepatitis B at the prenatal consultation, to assess their knowledge and risk factors of HBV infection. It included the administration of a standardized questionnaire divided into four parts (socio-demographic data, knowledge about hepatitis B, risk factors and immunization status) and a screening test for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). A total of 200 pregnant women were recruited consecutively in Mahosot hospital. They were aged 14-39 years (mean 27 ± 4.76 years), civil servants (37%) or housewives (33.5%) with a secondary or higher education level (80%). Most were multiparous (68.5%) and attended antenatal care in the third trimester of pregnancy (61%). Sixteen (8%) tested HBsAg positive. The HBsAg seroprevalence was higher in the 26-30 years age group, among women above the primary school education level and women practicing the profession of shopkeeper or civil servant, but these differences were not significant. Hepatitis B was known by a small majority (53%) but 26% could name the routes of transmission, K. Xaydalasouk · S. Keomalaphet · V. Latthaphasavang · V. Souvong · Y. Buisson (*) Institut de la francophonie pour la médecine tropicale (IFMT), Vientiane, Laos e-mail : [email protected] V. Latthaphasavang Département des maladies infectieuses, Hôpital Mahosot, Vientiane, Laos Bull. Soc. Pathol. Exot. (2016) 109:13-19 DOI 10.1007/s13149-016-0474-5