Seroprevalence of HBV among people living with HIV in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Background
Co-infection of HBV with HIV is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. In spite of increasing reports of HIV/HBV co-morbidities in Nigeria, little or no data exists on this subject in Anyigba. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia among HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral treatment programme in Anyigba, Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.


Methods
Sera samples obtained from 200 consented HIV patients were screened for HBsAg using the commercial rapid test membrane-based qualitative immunoassay. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patients' demographic variables and probable risk factors for HBV transmission.


Results
Overall, 3.5% of HIV patients were seropositive to HBsAg and the difference between seroprevalence rates and patients' age as well as gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant difference between patients' demographic variables such as marital status (p=0.013) and educational level (p=0.004) and HBsAg seropositivity. Patients with a history of surgical applications (p=0.01) and who indulged in alcoholism (p=0.03) significantly had higher rates of concomitant HIV/HBV infection in the study area.


Conclusion
Our findings underscore the importance of routine screening for HBV in the HIV infected populations especially in developing countries where the infection is endemic. We advocate for public enlightenment programmes on routes of virus acquisitions with a view to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated HIV/HBV co-infection.
['Omatola|Cornelius Arome|CA|', 'Idofe|Joshua|J|', 'Okolo|Martin-Luther Oseni|MO|', 'Adejo|Patience Omebije|PO|', 'Maina|Mesach Maunta|MM|', 'Oyiguh|Joseph Abraham|JA|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D019380:Anti-HIV Agents D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active D060085:Coinfection D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D015658:HIV Infections D006509:Hepatitis B D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens D006515:Hepatitis B virus D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009549:Nigeria D015995:Prevalence D012307:Risk Factors D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies D055815:Young Adult
HBV HIV Nigeria co-infection risk factors