Coinfection with Hepatitis B and C Viruses among HIV Positive Pregnant Women in Enugu South East, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B and C viruses coinfection in HIV positive pregnant women is a common public health problem and recognized worldwide. The consequences of this problem in our poor resource setting with the risk of mother to child transmission is obvious with increased morbidity and mortality in our environment.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of coinfection patterns of HBV and HCV among HIV positive pregnant women in Enugu Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective survey conducted on 401 Nigeria HIV positive pregnant women seen at Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) clinic at the UNTH Enugu Nigeria over a 3 year period between 1^st January 2007 and 31^st December 2009.
Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses coinfection among HIV positive pregnant women in Enugu is 6.5%. HIV/HBV coinfection was commoner than HIV/HCV coinfection. There was no significant association between hepatitis B and C viruses coinfection and the age, ethnic group, marital or educational status of the women (P>0.05).
Conclusion: There is high prevalence of hepatitis B and C coinfection among HIV positive pregnant women in Enugu. This high burden of these hepatotropic virus coinfection calls for continued need to screen for these infections and vaccinate the affected babies for hepatitis B and/or C where appropriate.

Keywords: HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, PMTCT, pregnant women, Enugu Nigeria