Epidemiology of hepatitis b virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection among assymptomatic persons resident in Alex Ekwueme federal university Ndufu-alike

Abstract

Based on their epidemiology, Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), share the same routes of transmission and risk factors for infection. This study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of HBV, HCV, HIV co-infection among residents of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu- Alike, Ebonyi State Nigeria who are mostly young adults. Three Hundred and Eighty-Four participants were enlisted for this study. Blood samples were collected and tested for presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Anti-HCV antibodies and HIV antibodies using first response antigen detection kits for HBV and HCV as well as Determine and StatPak kits for HIV. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chisquare was used to test the associations. Statistical significance was taken at P ˂ 0.05. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results obtained from this study showed that the mean age of the participants was 24 years (SD: 5.343). The prevalence for HCV and HBV was 8.85% and 10.86% respectively. The occurrence of HBV and HCV co-infection was statistically non- significant (p 0.50). However, the prevalence of HBV was statistically significant (p = 0.012) The prevalence of HIV was 5.99%. A total of 5 (1.30%) had concomitant HBV, HCV and HIV infections. Also, 11 (2.86%) had HBV/HIV co-infection, 8(2.08%) had HCV/HIV co-infection while 5(1.30%) had HBV/HCV co-infections. All the participants were asymptomatic. This study demonstrated high prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV and provides the first epidemiologic data on the prevalence of these viral infections among the population within the geographic region studied. To reduce the prevalence of the viral infections among the populations, preventive strategies should be developed and implemented. Also, further studies should be conducted to elucidate the epidemiological pattern of HIV, HCV and HBV concomitant infections in other States within south-eastern Nigeria.