Seropositivity of Anti-CMV IgM Antibody among Women of Child-Bearing Age Attending Selected Hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Human Cytomegalovirus is one of the most common cause of congenital viral infections. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus among women of child-bearing age attending selected hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 228 blood samples were obtained from the women and processed serologically using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In addition, structured questionnaire was used to determine socio-demographic and risk factors associated with Human Cytomegalovirus infection. Out of the 228 women, 215 (94.3%) were positive for anti-CMV IgM. The highest seroprevalence was observed among women belonging to age group 15-24 (98.8%), those with secondary level of education (98%), those living in the urban areas (95%), the civil servants (100%), the married (94.2%) and those of medium socioeconomic status (94.9%). A statistical significant difference was observed between the age groups only (p = 0.000). With respect to risk factors, female patients; with no sex partners (100%), with history of blood transfusion (96.7%), who do not wash their hands with soap after changing baby’s diaper (95.5%), who wash their hands after contact with children’s urine (94.7%) and those in close contact with children had highest seroprevalence (94.4%). No statistical significant association was observed between Human Cytomegalovirus infection and the risk factors considered. Female patients should be educated on the transmission routes as well as preventive measures of Human cytomegalovirus infections.