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. 2020 Aug 27:36:352.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.36.352.23978. eCollection 2020.

HIV-hepatitis co-infection in a rural community in Northern Nigeria

Oluwaseyitan Andrew Adesegun  1   2 , Olabiyi Hezekiah Olaniran  3 , Emmanuel Bamidele  4 , Joseph Nicholas Inyang  1 , Michael Adegbe  1 , Tolulope Oyinloluwa Binuyo  5 , Osaze Ehioghae  2 , Oluwafunmilola Adeyemi  6 , Oyekunle Oyebisi  7 , Akolade Olukorede Idowu  2   8 , Oluwafemi Ajose  9
Affiliations

HIV-hepatitis co-infection in a rural community in Northern Nigeria

Oluwaseyitan Andrew Adesegun et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C pose a public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa and there are only few studies on co-infection of these viruses done in rural areas in Northern Nigeria. This study provides a rural perspective on HIV-hepatitis co-infection in a Northern Nigerian community.

Methods: this cross-sectional study was carried out amongst people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a rural community hospital over a three-month period. Socio-demographic data and other relevant information were obtained from the participants and case notes using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to Hepatitis C virus were assayed from serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits developed by LabACON®. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and logistic regression modelling was used to determine correlates of co-infection in the population.

Results: a total of 281 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of Hepatitis B co-infection, Hepatitis C co-infection and triple infection was 6.0%, 14.6% and 1.1% respectively. Using Chi-square test, none of the socio-demographic characteristics, WHO Clinical Stage, viral suppression had significant association with Hepatitis B co-infection, however marital status was significantly associated with Hepatitis C co-infection and level of education was significantly associated with triple infection (p < 0.05). Logistic regression modelling generated no significant results.

Conclusion: co-infection of viral hepatitis (particularly Hepatitis C) in PLWHA is common in rural Northern Nigeria, and significant correlates include lack of formal education and being married. There is need for provider-initiated routine counselling and screening of PLWHA for viral hepatitis, with adequate follow-up and treatment of co-infected individuals and Hepatitis B vaccination for those without co-infection.

Keywords: Africa; HIV/AIDS; Nigeria; Public health; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; rural medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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    1. World Health Organization. World Health Organization. 2019. Hepatitis B: World heal. Organ Fact Sheet. Accessed on July 01 2020.
    1. Mercy Jelagat Karoney, Abraham Mogisi Siika. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Africa: a review. Pan Afr Med J. 2013;14:44. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. Global AIDS Update. 2016.
    1. World Health Organization. Hepatitis, WHO, Regional Office for Africa. World Health Organization. 2019. Accessed on July 01 2020.

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