Seroprevalence and Molecular Detection of Hepatitis C Virus among HIV-Positive Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important public health concern because both infections share transmission routes and may increase maternal and foetal health risks. This study assessed the seroprevalence of HCV and the presence of detectable HCV RNA among HIV-positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 consenting HIV-positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Faith Alive Foundation, Jos. Sociodemographic information and potential HCV-associated risk factors were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Serum samples were screened for anti-HCV antibodies using a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Samples that tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies were further tested for HCV RNA using nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 120 participants screened, three had detectable anti-HCV antibodies, resulting in an observed seroprevalence of 2.5% (exact 95% CI: 0.5%-7.1%). Among these three anti-HCV-seropositive participants, specimens were HCV RNA-negative by nested RT-PCR. Because only three participants were seropositive, risk-factor analyses were considered exploratory, and no firm association was determined. Conclusion: The study found low anti-HCV seroprevalence and no detectable HCV RNA among HIV-positive pregnant women attending the selected antenatal clinics. These findings support the value of combining antibody screening with confirmatory molecular testing in antenatal surveillance.