Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus co-infection in Zawan community of Plateau State

Abstract

Hepatitis B Virus(HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) share similar properties such as modes of transmission. This study was therefore designed to find out the prevalence of HBV/HIV co-infection in Zawan village. Three hundred subjects were recruited into the study through simple random sampling method after being mobilized to Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) hospital Zawan. A structured questionnaire on sociocultural behaviors and practices was self administered and 5mls of blood collected from each respondent. The sera were separated and analysed for HBsAg and antibodies against HIV. The prevalence of HBV in Zawan was 12.6%, HIV 8.3% and HBV/HIV co-infection was 3.4%. The common practices found in the community were tonsillectomy, tattooing, male circumcision by traditional method and use of sharp objects with no significant association with HBV/HIV co-infection. Health education should be strengthened at the grass root level. Other blood borne viral diseases should be sought for most especially, hepatitis C virus when investigating for both HBV and HIV.

Keywords: Hepatitis B Virus, Human immunodeficiency virus, Zawan

Journal of Medicine in the Tropics Vol. 7(1) 2005: 21-26