Epidemiological Study of HCV and HIV Infections in Relation to Certain Demographic Factors Among the Ante-Natal Population Within Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis C and HIV are blood borne infections of the human population including pregnant women globally. These Viruses are of global concern because of the significant challenges they pose to public health with over 36.7 million people leaving with HIV around the whole world. This research determined the prevalence of HCV, HIV and HCV-HIV co infection among pregnant women attending ante-natal in selected hospitals within the Kaduna metropolis. A total of 500 samples were collected from pregnant women on ante-natal in 5 different hospitals within the metropolis. One hundred samples were collected from each of the hospitals visited. Each sample was analyzed for HCV and HIV antibodies respectively using commercially available kits. Results analysis revealed prevalence rates of 1.4% for HCV, 5.80% for HIV and 0.40% HCV-HIV co-infection among the subjects. Chi square statistics for test of independence between 2 variables showed significant associations between HCV positivity and history of more than 2 sexual partners (p≤0.01), Age group between 36-40 years (p≤0.02), Unknown gestational age and 4-6 months respectively (p≤0.0002, p≤0.03). These were identified as potential risks for HCV contraction. On the other hand, there was no significant association between any of the demographic factors and HIV positivity which showed that exposure to the HIV causes infection regardless of any demographic factor. There is low prevalence of HCV, high prevalence of HIV and low prevalence of HCV-HIV co-infection among the ante-natal population within the metropolis.