Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the most chronic viral infections worldwide. Co-infections with HBV and HCV have become increasingly common among people living with HIV, resulting in a growing public health concern. The primary aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV and their associated factors among HIV-1-infected patients attending the Ngong Sub-County Hospital comprehensive care clinic.After providing consent, a 5 mL blood sample was collected from each study participant visiting the comprehensive care clinic. The blood was screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and HCV antibodies using chemiluminescence immunoassay test according to the manufacturer's instructions. The CD4 T-cell counts were determined using FACSCalibre machine, while HIV-1 viral load was determined using the Abbott m2000rt System according to the manufacturer's instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information and data on factors associated with HBV and HCV co-infections.One hundred and ninety HIV-1-infected patients participated in this study: 150 (78.9%) women and 40 (21.1%) men. In the overall study population, the prevalence of HBV co-infection was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.6%-8.9%) and of HCV co-infection was 4.2% (95% CI, 1.6%-7.4%). However, no individual was co-infected with all 3 viruses. HCV was associated with antiretroviral treatment (OR 0.2; 95% CI, 0.0-0.8; P=.036), while HBV showed a significant association with condom usage (OR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9; P=.039) and median viral load.A high prevalence of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection was reported in this study, suggesting that HIV-infected patients should be routinely screened for HBV and HCV infections, and preventive and control measures should be put in place that include public education on HBV and HCV infections.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the most chronic viral infections worldwide.Co-infections with HBV and HCV have become increasingly common among people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in a growing public health concern
HCV was associated with antiretroviral treatment, while HBV showed a significant association with condom usage and median viral load
A high prevalence of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection was reported in this study, suggesting that HIV
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the most chronic viral infections worldwide.Co-infections with HBV and HCV have become increasingly common among people living with HIV, resulting in a growing public health concern. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the most chronic viral pathogens of major public health concern worldwide.[1] More than 250 million people infected with HBV have developed chronic HBV infection, which has resulted in 800,000 HBV-related deaths annually.[2,3,4,5] More than 70 million people have developed chronic HCV infection globally.[2,5,6] In Western countries, such as Europe and the United States, the prevalence of HCV is as high as 30%, and is highest among people who inject drugs.[7] In contrast, in most African countries, the prevalence of HCV is as low as 3% in Uganda[8] and as high as 15% in Egypt.[7] These viruses share similar modes of transmission, such as mother-to-child transmission, sharing of injecting equipment, and transfusion of unscreened blood or
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