Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus and Related Transmission Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) remains a significant global public health challenge, with approximately 58 million individuals infected and around 1.5 million new cases reported annually. This study focused on evaluating HCV prevalence and identifying factors associated with its transmission among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The main objectives were to assess the prevalence of HCV and determine contributing factors. A cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was used, targeting pregnant women visiting ANC clinics. A sample size of 471 participants was established through convenience sampling, with data collected via structured questionnaires and biological samples. The results indicated that a prevalence rate of HVC in Dar es Salaam Region was 1.7%. This low prevalence was linked to limited awareness, particularly among those engaging in risky behaviors like participated in unprotected sexual activities, shared sharp objects, or had a history of injection drug use were at a higher risk of HCV transmission. The study suggests that the Tanzanian government enhance awareness campaigns to educate both women and men in the community about HCV.