Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, anti-HCV antibodies and HIV and knowledge among people who use drugs attending methadone therapy clinic in Tanzania; a cross-sectional study

Semvua B Kilonzo,Alex Stephano,Daniel W Gunda,Paulina M Manyiri,Fatma A Bakshi,David C Majinge,Hyasinta Jaka,Elichilia R Shao,Fredrick Kalokola,Grahame Mtui

doi:10.1186/s12879-021-06393-0

Abstract

BackgroundMethadone therapy clinics have been recently introduced in Tanzania, aiming at reducing risk behaviors and infection rates of viral hepatitis and HIV among people who use drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and knowledge level of these conditions among people who use drugs attending a methadone clinic in Tanzania.MethodsWe enrolled 253 People who using drugs receiving Methadone therapy. Clinical data was retrospectively collected from the medical records and face-to face interviews were conducted to determine the behavioral risk factors and respondents’ knowledge on viral hepatitis and HIV.ResultsAn overall seroprevalence of viral hepatitis (either hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-hepatitis C virus) was 6.3%, while that of hepatitis B virus mono infection was 3.5% and anti-hepatitis C antibodies was 3.5%. Seroprevalence of HIV was 12.6%. Viral hepatitis was strongly predicted by advanced age (> 35 years) (p = 0.02) and staying at Kirumba area (p = 0.004), and HIV infection was predicted by increased age (> 37 years) (p = 0.04) and female sex (p < 0.001). Regarding the knowledge of viral hepatitis, majority of the respondents were unaware of the transmission methods and availability of hepatitis B virus vaccines and only 17% were classified as well informed (provided ≥4 correct answers out of 7 questions). Good knowledge was highly predicted by higher education level of the individual (p = 0.001).ConclusionsDespite the efforts to curb viral hepatitis and HIV infections through Methadone clinics, infection rates among people who use drugs are still high and the general knowledge on preventive measures is inadequate.

Highlights

Methadone therapy clinics have been recently introduced in Tanzania, aiming at reducing risk behaviors and infection rates of viral hepatitis and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who use drugs
Characteristics and demographics of the study participants We recruited a total of 256 People who use drugs (PWUD) attending Methadone therapy clinic (MTC) at Sekou Toure Regional Referral hospital (STRRH) from September 2019 to May 2020
We found a clear variation of age and gender profiles of PWUD and their association with Viral hepatitis (VH) and HIV infections

Summary

Introduction

Methadone therapy clinics have been recently introduced in Tanzania, aiming at reducing risk behaviors and infection rates of viral hepatitis and HIV among people who use drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and knowledge level of these conditions among people who use drugs attending a methadone clinic in Tanzania. About 257 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 71 million people with hepatitis C. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), around 60 million people are estimated to have CHB and 10 million more to have chronic HCV infection [1]. In Tanzania, the overall seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (antiHCV), and HIV infection is estimated to be 4.1, 2.0, and 4.7% respectively in the general community [3]. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV in this subgroup of people varies from 16.2–50.2% [5, 7, 8]

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