Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research (Nov 2021)
Hepatitis and HIV Co-infection at University of Gondar Specialized Referral Hospital: Northwest Ethiopia
Abstract
Meseret Ayelign,1 Melak Aynalem,2 Nega Berhane3 1Department of Molecular Biology, Specialized Referral Hospital, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Melak AynalemDepartment of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, EthiopiaTel +251 912692619Email [email protected]: Viral infections are the most common diseases. Of them, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B viruses (HBV), and hepatitis C viruses (HCV) are common. When HBV or HCV becomes co-morbid with HIV, they lead to severe forms of a disease and rapid death.Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of HBV and HCV among HIV-positive study participants.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 81 individuals, and a non-randomized purposive sampling technique was used. From each study participant, sociodemographic and clinical data were gathered by using a pretested questionnaire and data collection sheet, respectively. Further, a venous blood sample was collected for viral load count, and HBV and HCV determination. To keep the quality of test results, commercially prepared quality control samples were used. The data were entered to EPI-Info version 7 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. The descriptive data were summarized in percentages, median, and IQR. Logistic regression was analyzed to determine associated factors. To say the data were statistically significant, the p-values should be less than 0.05.Results: A total of 81 study participants were included. Of them, 56.8% (46/81) and 67.9% (55/81) were female and urban residents, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis co-infection was 21% (95% CI: 17%, 23%). Further, the prevalence of HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV was 13.5% (95% CI: 10.5%, 16.5%) and 8.6% (95% CI: 5.6%, 11.6%), respectively. Wise use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) 0.01 (0.00, 0.213) was a preventive factor to hepatitis infection.Conclusion and Recommendation: The HBV and HCV co-infection among HIV-positive patients was a significant public health concern. Also, having wise use of HAART can reduce exposure to hepatitis co-infection. Therefore, clear strategies on hepatitis screening and wise use of HAART to HIV would be critical.Keywords: seroprevalence, HBV, HCV, HIV, Gondar, Ethiopia
