The Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Viral Infection in HIV Tested Positive Individuals in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The contribution of hepatitis B viral infection in HIV positive individuals is becoming increasingly recognized especially with the advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral drugs (HAART) which tend to prolong the life expectancy of HIV patients, thus increasing the tendency for chronic sequalae of hepatitis B in HIV/HBV co infection. Method: A total of 300 HIV positive adults who were >18years and residing in Owerri were enrolled in this study. Participants were drawn from twenty (20) private laboratory services between January, 2013 and August, 2013. Result: Out of the three hundred (300) individuals who tested positive for HIV, thirty two (32) persons (10.6%) showed positive serology test for Hepatitis B in our series. Out of these persons, twenty one (21) (65.6%) were females while eleven (11) (34.4%) were males. Among the study population, persons aged 25-34.9 years had the highest prevalence of co infection (56.25%), while patients aged 55-64.9 years had the least prevalence. Males aged 35-44.9 years had the highest prevalence. Majority of the females were secondary school holders (46.9%) who were selfemployed and having multiple unprotected heterosexual lifestyles. Conclusions: HIV and Hepatitis B viral infections share common route of transmission and they synergistically accelerate each progression. Greater public health enlightenment in areas of health seeking behavior, safer sex practice, and overall health promotion must be intensified if reduction of this hepatitis B viral burden is to be achieved.