Distribution and Prevalence of Markers of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among HIV-Positive Patients attending Defence Healthcare Facility in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To determine the distribution and prevalence of markers of HBV infection among HIV-positive patients attending Defence healthcare facility for treatment in Abuja, Nigeria. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Medical Centre, Abuja, Nigeria, between February and October, 2019. Methodology: Four mls of blood was collected from each of the 404 consenting HIV patients at the HIV clinic of DHQ Medical Centre and their socio-demographic information obtained using structured questionnaires. Plasmas were separated and screened for HBV infection serologic markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb) using HBV combo 5-in-1 panel test kit (Royal Care Diagnostics Co. Ltd, Chennai, India). Data obtained were presented in Table and chart and analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA). P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most of the recruited participants were married (256/404) females (264/404), aged 31-40 years (144/404) and civilians (376/404). Of these, 41(10.1%) were found to be positive for HBsAg, 189(46.8%) for HBsAb, 6(1.5%) for HBeAg, 20(5.0%) for HBeAb and 10(2.5%) for HBcAb. HBsAg which is the determinant of HBV infection was found to be higher among divorced (13.3%) females (11.4%), aged 31-40 years (16.0%) and civilians (10.6%). Only marital status was associated with prevalence of HBeAb (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between age, gender and rank with rates of markers of HBV infection in this study (P > 0.05). Conclusion: This study reported high prevalence HBV infection serologic markers among the study participants. Hence, there is a need for integration of HBV interventions into HIV prevention and control programs including mass vaccination of HBV naïve HIV infected individuals.