Abstract

IntroductionHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus are prevalent infections in sub-Saharan Africa, but information on the prevalence of co-infection is limited. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among people living with HIV receiving care and treatment at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Referral Hospital in northern Tanzania.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2015 among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) aged 15 years and above attending the Care and Treatment Clinic for routine care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Systematic sampling was used to select the study participants. Information on socio-demographic data, sexual behaviour and medical history were collected using a questionnaire. Hepatitis B surface antigen was diagnosed using a rapid test. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.ResultsA total of 300 PLWHIV consented to participate in this study, of whom 62% were female. Their ages ranged from 15-75 years, with a median age of 46 years (IQR of 39-53 years). The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among people living with HIV was 2.3% (n=7/300). A history of blood transfusion was the only factor associated with hepatitis B surface antigen infection, while other socio-demographic and clinical factors showed no association.ConclusionHepatitis B virus infection is infrequent among PLWHIV in this setting. Despite the prevalence, we recommend routine screening for hepatitis B surface antigen and other hepatitis B virus markers among PLWHIV in order to tailor antiretroviral regimens against hepatitis B virus.

Highlights

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus are prevalent infections in sub-Saharan Africa, but information on the prevalence of co-infection is limited

  • Most of the 300 people living with HIV (PLWHIV) were on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment (99.0%), and 44.7% were on a Tenofovir- (TDF-) containing ART regimen

  • PLWHIV with a history of blood transfusion had a higher prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (13.0%) than non-transfused people (1.4%)

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Summary

Introduction

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus are prevalent infections in sub-Saharan Africa, but information on the prevalence of co-infection is limited. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among people living with HIV receiving care and treatment at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Referral Hospital in northern Tanzania. HBV affects 240 million people globally, with the highest prevalence in East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [1]. It is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. SSA is the most affected, and the region is expected to have a high prevalence of coinfection [3, 5] These two infections co-exist because of their similarity in risk factors and transmission mechanisms. There is a need for clinicians and public health workers in SSA to understand the epidemiology of HBV-HIV coinfection [3, 4, 13]

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