Seroprevalence of HIV with Hepatitis B and C Co-Infection in Patients at the Al Nadjma Multi-purpose Center Laboratory in N'Djamena, Chad

Abstract

Co-infection with hepatitis B and C is one of the major challenges in the management of HIV since access to antiretroviral drugs has improved in Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence HIV/Hep B and C co-infection in patients treated at the Al Nadjma multi-purpose centre in N'Djamena, Chad. This prospective study was conducted from June 2023 to May 2024 on 3,430 patients seen at the laboratory of the Al Nadjma multi-purpose Center in N'Djamena for screening for both HIV and hepatitis B and C. HIV was detected by immuno-chromatography using specific kits. The detection of hepatitis B and C by detection of HBsAg and HCV AC was carried out by immunochromatography using specific kits. The mean age of the patients was 38 years, with extremes of 18 and 60 years. Males were predominant (71.2%), with a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.22. The most common age was 31 to 40 (38.48%). The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C was 4.84%, 4.46% and 0.93% respectively. The prevalence of HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV/HCV co-infections was 4.17%, 0.79% and 0.09% respectively. This study shows that HIV and hepatitis B seroprevalence are high in N'Djamena. On the other hand, hepatitis C virus and HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV/HCV co-infections are relatively low compared with most of the data reported in other Sub-Saharan African countries. However, HIV/HBV co-infection could be considered a public health problem, requiring early diagnosis by organizing awareness and screening campaigns in the population, thus enabling better management of co-infected patients (HIV/HBV) by dual antiretroviral and anti-hepatitis B treatment.