Background Hepatitis B, C, and HIV infections are serious global health concerns that affect both developed and
developing nations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV among pregnant
women attending a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Methods This retrospective study, conducted from January 2017 to December 2021 at the Somalia-Mogadishu
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital, assessed HBV, HCV, and HIV prevalence among pregnant
women. Screening was performed using the VITROS® 3600 Immunodiagnostic System. Data analysis was performed
using IBM SPSS, with descriptive data presented as frequencies and percentages, and quantitative data as means and
standard deviations. The χ² test or Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical data analysis.
Result A total of 7,874 pregnant women were screened. After applying the exclusion criteria, 7,836 were tested for
HBV, of whom 220 (2.8%) were positive for HBsAg. A total of 7,791 women were tested for HCV, and 33 (0.4%) were
seropositive for anti-HCV antibodies. For HIV, 7,854 women were screened, and 16 (0.2%) tested positive for anti-HIV
antibodies. These results indicate a moderate prevalence of HBV, a low prevalence of HCV, and a relatively low, but still
concerning prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in this setting. HBsAg positivity showed statistical significance
across all age groups (p≤0.001), while anti-HCV positivity was significant for patients aged<20 and 26–30 years
(p=0.011).
Conclusion This study found lower HBV, HCV, and HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Mogadishu compared
to previous studies, suggesting improvements in healthcare. However, these infections remain a public health
concern. Strengthening antenatal screening, expanding hepatitis B vaccination, and ensuring universal access to
treatment are crucial to reducing their impact on maternal and neonatal health in Somalia.