Prevalence of HepatitisB virus infections among HIV infected individuals in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of HBV infections among HIV infected individuals in Nairobi, Kenya
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: Kenya Medical Research Institute HBV Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya
Subjects: A total of four hundred HIV infected patients randomised from a Nairobi HIV comprehensive care centre between June and October 2015.
Results: Of the 400 subjects screened; (27.75%) had HBV immunisation, (3%) had acute disease, (4.75%) were on recovery, (2.5%) were in chronic stage, (1.75%) were asymptomatic and (2.25%) had occult HBV. Statistical analysis showed that age and
gender were not significantly associated with the risk of HBV or occult HBV infections.
Conclusion: HIV/HBV co-infections is still >5.5% but the rates could be higher than reported here. Utility of HBV sero-markers especially in infection staging is therefore very important in disease diagnosis and surveillance.