Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection Among Antenatal Women

Abstract

Background

Primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnancy constitutes a major threat to the developing foetus due to trans-placental transmission which can affect the central nervous system and sensory function of the foetus. The severity of congenital damage is higher when infection occurs in the first trimester, thus CMV infection during pregnancy is a public health problem throughout the world.

Objective: To determine the Seroprevalence of CMV infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic and associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: This was a laboratory-based cross-sectional study. Antenatal attendees who consented to the study were recruited. Blood samples were collected and analysed using ELISA method. The data were analysed using SPSS software version 22. Chi-square test of independence was conducted to test for relationship between ELISA and the various characteristics of the cases considered. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant at confidence interval of 95%. Results: The CMV seroprevalence was 30.2%. 165 participants (97.6%) were not aware of CMV infection. Higher level of education was associated with low seroprevalence (P-value 0.04). The relationship between age, parity, occupation, and marital status, stage of pregnancy, blood transfusion and CMV acquisition were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus infection is high but awareness of the disease is low. Therefore, the need to create awareness of the disease cannot be overemphasized.