Prevalence of hepatitis- B virus infection among HIV patients seen in university of UYO teaching hospital (UUTH), UYO

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common, and different prevalence rates have been reported. In Nigeria, several studies have been conducted, but none so far in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, despite the high HIV prevalence rate (10.9%) in the state. This study therefore aimed at determining the prevalence of HBV infection among HIV infected persons that attended the HIV clinic in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, in Uyo. It was a cross sectional study, where all confirmed HIV positive patients who presented at the UUTH from January 2010 to February 2011(inclusive) were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The results showed that of the 239 HIV infected persons who were screened for HBV, 29 (12.1%) had HBV infection. More males were co-infected, 55.2% versus 44.8% females, p=0.01. Two (5.1%) of the 39 children in the study, were co-infected. It was concluded that HIV-HBV co-infection rate is high in Uyo, though not as it is in other parts of Nigeria.