Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B among HIV Positive Patients Receiving Haart at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Benue State: A Cohort Study
Daniel Joseph Ajii *
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Emeka Christian Nwaburu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Nafeesah Abdulsalam Idris
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Sussana Nale Yusuf
Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria.
Peter Mkurtar Yawe
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Shawon Fredrick Akpagher
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections have overlapping transmission and contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of HIV infected patients. This study aims to assess Hepatitis B prevalence among HIV positive patients on HAART at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi.
Methods: A total of 250 study participants were involved in a cohort study design using a consecutive sampling technique. A pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, risk factors from respondents in 3 months, from September to November 2023. While the prevalence of HBV co-infection was tested using Serum samples from individuals using VITROS HBsAg Reagent Pack (Ref 680 1322). Chi square was used to test association between socio-demographic and HBV/HIV co-infection. Binary regression analysis was used to test independent predictors of HBV co-infection. All test were carried out at 9% C.I using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: HBV/HIV co-infection rate was 14%, with a mean age of 44 years and a male to female sex ratio of 1:3. The findings further shows that prevalence was higher in respondents with low education level (17.9%), multiple sexual partners (31.0%), sharing of sharps/blades (25.9%), and alcohol use (31.0%) and were significant independent predictors of HBV/HIV co-infection. Low education level (COR=2.419), MSP (COR=3.600), Sharing of sharps/blades (COR=2.674), alcohol use (COR=3.271). Sex, age, religion, marital status, employment status, smoking and BMI were not significantly associated with HBV co-infection.
Conclusion: The high frequency of HBV/HIV coinfection (14%) demonstrates the disease's endemicity and is, thus, a crucial indicator that needs to be taken into account. There is a need for enhanced public health awareness to address risk behaviors and promote health through widespread testing and immunizations.
Keywords: HBV, HIV, Co-infection, prevalence, cohort