Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus infections in young women seeking abortion care in Ethiopia: a cross - sectional study.

Wondemagegn Mulu,Mulat Yimer,Bayeh Abera,Tadesse Hailu,Yohannes Zenebe

doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3658-9

Wondemagegn Mulu, Mulat Yimer + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3658-9

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Abstract

BackgroundYoung women aged 15–24 years are members of key populations at higher risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition through sexual intercourse. In areas where unprotected sex is a common practice, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) commonly transmitted via sexual and parenteral routes. The study aimed at determining HIV and HBV infections prevalence in young women attending health institutions for abortion care in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross - sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to June 2015. Convenient sampling technique was used. Demographic and explanatory variables were collected using a structured questionnaire via face to face interview. The presence of antibody to HIV infection was detected using national HIV diagnostic test algorithm. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected using ELISA. Data were analyzed using descriptive, fisher’s exact and independent sample T test as appropriate.ResultsA total of 360 young women aged 15–24 years participated in the study. The median age of the women was 22 years. Overall, 16 (4.4 %) (95 % CI: 2.7–7.1 %) women were positive for either HBV or HIV infections. The prevalence of HIV and HBV infections were 9 (2.5 %) (95 % CI: 1.3–4.7 %) and 7 (1.94 %) (95 % CI: 0.95–4.0 %), respectively. The mean age of first sexual intercourse was 17.6 and 19.3 in HIV and HBV infected women, respectively. The prevalence of HIV infection was significantly associated with lower educational status (P < 0.001), divorced marital status (P = 0.009) and ever had symptom of other sexually transmitted infections (P = 0.001). The proportion of HBV was higher in women aged 15–17 years (P = 0.02).ConclusionThough there were no co-infections, HIV and HBV infections are major health problems in young women seeking abortion care. Therefore, appropriate prevention, treatment and care services must be reached to these higher risk populations.

Highlights

Young women aged 15–24 years are members of key populations at higher risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition through sexual intercourse
Women in sexual relationships and victims of sexual assault are at greater risk of getting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) because of unsafe sexual practices [1, 2]
Study design A cross - sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to June 2015 at the Family Guidance Association (FGA) and Marie Stopes International Ethiopia, Bahir Dar city

Summary

Introduction

Young women aged 15–24 years are members of key populations at higher risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition through sexual intercourse. The study aimed at determining HIV and HBV infections prevalence in young women attending health institutions for abortion care in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia. Studies stated that the proportion of women engaged in sexual activities before marriage increased and the age at first sexual intercourse decreased [1, 4]. These factors increase STIs among young women [1]. High abortion rate and low contraceptive prevalence rates are common in women aged from 15 to 24 years in Ethiopia [4]

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Results

Conclusion