The Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnant Women in Duhok City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Brief Report

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a public health issue, worldwide. HCV infection during pregnancy is associated with vertical transmission. Objectives The current study aimed at investigating the prevalence of HCV in pregnant women. <strong>Methods:</strong> The current cross sectional study was conducted in Duhok, Kurdistan region of Iraq from January 2016 to December 2018. In the study, pregnant women were tested for HCV antibodies (HCV-Ab) positivity. The infection then was confirmed by HCV-real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). <strong>Results:</strong> During the study, 37,200 pregnant women were recruited; 15 (0.04%) subjects were positive for HCV-Ab. To confirm the infection, HCV-RT PCR was performed for subjects with positive results and only three cases were confirmed using this method; giving a prevalence of 3/37,200 (0.001%). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> HCV prevalence in pregnant women was low in Duhok city. Continuous screening is required to control infection and prevent vertical transmission.