The prevalence of human immunodeficiency and of hepatitis B viral infections is not increased in patients with sickle cell disease in Tanzania

Grace Shayo,Lucio Luzzatto,Irene Makundi

doi:10.1186/s12879-021-06726-z

Abstract

BackgroundTanzania ranks as the fourth country in the world with respect to the number of sickle cell disease (SCD) births; it is also endemic to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This study was done to determine the prevalence of HIV and HBV infections among SCD patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsA multicenter hospital-based descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among participants aged ≥ 16 years with a proven diagnosis of SCD. Socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded. Blood samples were drawn for HIV and HBV diagnosis. All categorical variables were summarized into frequencies.ResultsThere were 185/325 (56.9 %) females. The mean age (SD) was 23.0 ± 7.5 years. The prevalence of HIV was 1.8 %; the prevalence of HBV was 1.2 %.ConclusionsThe prevalence of both HIV and HBV in SCD patients is no greater than in the general population of Dar es Salaam or Tanzania. For associations, a large study would be needed. From a detailed blood transfusion history of SCD patients we found no evidence that HIV or HBV infection was transmitted through blood transfusion.

Highlights

Tanzania ranks as the fourth country in the world with respect to the number of sickle cell disease (SCD) births; it is endemic to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Tanzania is ranked as the fourth country globally with the highest number of SCD births after Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and India [2, 3]
Study population All consenting SCD patients aged 16 years or older who attended sickle cell clinics in Dar es Salaam were consecutively enrolled in the study

Summary

Introduction

Tanzania ranks as the fourth country in the world with respect to the number of sickle cell disease (SCD) births; it is endemic to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This study was done to determine the prevalence of HIV and HBV infections among SCD patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is estimated that 300,000 children are born annually in the world with sickle cell disease (SCD). Tanzania is ranked as the fourth country globally with the highest number of SCD births after Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and India [2, 3]. Another study carried out in 2004–2005 among blood donors in the same city revealed a prevalence of 8.8 % for HBV and 3.8 % for HIV infection [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion