Background: Viral hepatitis is a global public health problem affecting millions of people every
year, causing disability and death. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are common causes of viral
hepatitis. Studies in different parts of the world showed that viral hepatitis due to HBV and HCV
causes considerable morbidity and mortality from both acute infection and chronic sequelae
including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Community based
studies about the prevalence of each viral infections among apparently healthy mothers in
Ethiopia has not been conducted, particularly in Addis Ababa.
Objective: To determine the Sero-prevalence of HBsAg and HCV among apparently healthy
mothers and to identify potential risk factors associated with the infections.
Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 454 apparently
healthy mothers, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from June 2016 to May 2017. A systematic
probability sampling method was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data
on socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors. All samples were tested, using
a sandwich third generation enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay for HBsAg, HBcAb, and HCV
by using Bio-Rad ELISA kits.