ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives: The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of the commonest viral infections causing adverse pregnancy outcomes globally. It can be transmitted to baby through transplacental, intrapartum or through breast feeding. Infection in pregnancy often cause poor pregnancy outcomes. Maternal infection has been considered the world`s most burden among other infections contacted preconception and during pregnancy. Despite its severity, data are limited in low income countries including Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine seroprevalence of HCMV and associated factors among women with previous unfavorable pregnancy outcome in Rural and Urban areas of Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methodology: An analytical cross sectional hospital based study involving 198 women with previous unfavorable pregnancy outcome was conducted between March and June 2019 in three different hospitals in Mwanza region. Pre-tested-structured questionnaires was used to collect socio-demographic and other relevant information. Indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to detect HCMV specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Data were analyzed by using STATA version 13.0 software as per the objectives of the study.

Results: The median age of enrolled women was 28 (IQR, 24-34) years. Of these 194 (98%, 95% CI: 96.0-99.9) were HCMV specific IgG seropositive while only 2(2.1%. 95% CI: 0.8-5.1) were IgM seropositive.

Conclusion and recommendations: Seroprevalence of HCMV IgG antibodies is significantly high among women with previous unfavorable pregnancy outcomes suggesting that it might be one of the common causes of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes in Mwanza. This calls for the need to devise a control measures including antenatal screening and preconception counseling of women of reproductive age.