Survey of Hepatitis C and Hiv Among 200 Pregnant Women Visiting Health Facilities and Tbas in Ikere Local Government Area.

This study evaluated the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among 200 pregnant women attending health facilities and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Ikere Local Government Area. The investigation was motivated by the need to assess the burden of these infections and their associated risk factors in a population that often combines formal and informal healthcare practices during pregnancy. Participants were thoroughly informed about the study’s purpose and procedures, and informed consent was obtained. Blood samples, collected aseptically by trained healthcare professionals, were tested for HIV and HCV using standard diagnostic methods, including rapid diagnostic tests and confirmatory assays. Samples were labelled with unique codes to ensure confidentiality throughout the testing process. The results revealed an HIV prevalence of 1.5% (3 positive cases out of 200 participants) and no cases of HCV. Among the participants, the age group 19–25 years exhibited the highest HIV positivity rate. Notably, none of the 175 participants attending TBAs tested positive for HIV or HCV, indicating no detected cases of these infections within that subgroup. The absence of HCV and low prevalence of HIV suggest effective public health measures in the community but also underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and targeted interventions, particularly for younger women who showed a higher vulnerability to HIV.