Sero prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among HIV infected patients in a HIV care program in Kenya: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: This study was aimed at determining the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B and C among HIV infected patients at a HIV care program in Western Kenya

Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.

Setting: HIV care program in Western Kenya.

Subjects: HIV infected individuals on follow up at the AMPATH (Academic Model Providing Access to Health care) clinic.

Results: A total of 247 HIV infected individuals were tested for HBsAg and anti HCV antibodies. The study population had a male to female ratio of 1:2 with the mean age of 39.3±10 years. Sixty seven per cent (67%) of the study participants were on antiretroviral therapy and the median CD4 cell count for all the patients was 224cells/ μl. The sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B was 9.7% and that of Hepatitis C was 1.6% with no dual infection observed.

Conclusions: The sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B observed represents high endemicity while that of Hepatitis C is low when compared with local and international.