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Hepatitis B and C co-infection among HIV-1 positive individuals in the North-East of Nigeria: prevalence and implication of high risk sexual behaviour in the transmission of hepatitis C virus
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Hepatitis B and C co-infection among HIV-1 positive individuals in the North-East of Nigeria: prevalence and implication of high risk sexual behaviour in the transmission of hepatitis C virus

Ameh S James, Joseph Okwori, Humphrey Musuluma and Henry Mbah
Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Vol.3(12), pp.784-788
2012
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Abstract

Medical Microbiology hepatitis B hepatitis C HIV sexual behaviour Nigeria
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are devastating disease agents that share common modes of transmission. It is also, known that HIV co- infection with hepatitis virus increases the risk for hepatotoxicity, reduced CD4+ count, reduced survival and likelihood of onset of an AIDS-defining illness, compared with infection with HIV alone. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of hepatitis among HIV positive clients. This study was conducted in four Family Health International (FHI) supported health facilities in North East Nigeria. Between March to December 2007, a total of 1,980 clients from 18 years old who voluntarily visited the facilities were screened for HIV following the national testing algorithm. From which 200 HIV positives were selected. The age groups 20-25 and 26-30, constituted 30.0% and 35.5% of the patients respectively. Males constituted 31.0% and female 69.0%. These HIV positive patients and the control group of 200 HIV negative blood donors all males were also screened for hepatitis viruses. Screenings were performed using rapid test for qualitative detection of HIV antibodies and HBV and HCV antigens. Of the 200 client's positive for HIV; 19% were positive for HBV, 9.5% for HCV and 2.0% for HBV+HCV. The age group of 26-30 that was mostly (28.5%) affected by HIV had 26.3%, HBV, and 21.0% HCV. Most (50.0%) of the HBV+HCV occurred among 20-25 age group. The prevalence of hepatitis virus among the 200 HIV negative controls group was 2% with HBV and 0.5% with HCV. The prevalence of HIV and its co-infection with HBV, HCV and HBV+HCV showed the highest infection among females (70.1%). The findings show a higher occurrence of HBV and HCV amongst HIV infected individuals compared to HIV negative ones. There may be benefit to include hepatitis screening before patients are enrolled for pre-antiretroviral treatment.

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