Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus Dual Infection in Nepal

Abstract

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections are emerging public health problems, particularly in developing counties like Nepal. The study aims at finding prevalence and pattern of CD4 cell count among HBV co-infected HIV positive individuals in Nepal. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in three Volunteer Counseling and Testing (VCT) clinics, one from Dharan and two from Kathmandu Nepal. Results: 5.75% of HIV infected individuals had HBV dual infection. 33.4% of patients who harbored dual HIV and HBV infection had multiple sex partners. No significant association was observed between HBV co-infection and Injecting Drug Users (IDU). The mean CD4 cell count was found to be significantly more among HBV uninfected cases compared to HBV infected ones at six months’ duration (P=0.006) and one years’ duration (P=0.027) after taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Conclusion: HBV co-infection was more among those having multiple sex partners. ART helped increase CD4 cell count among HBV co-infected and uninfected HIV positive patients, but the results were better among HIV mono-infected individuals.