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Feb 18, 2013Keywords:
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Sero-prevalence rate of Hepatitis B among asymptomatic HIV Seropositive antenatal attendees in a Mission Hospital in Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Women with HIV/HBV co-infection have increased risk of both sexual and vertical transmission of HBV during pregnancy or delivery. They are also at risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocelular carcinoma.
Co-infection with the two viruses may complicate the delivery of HAART by increasing the risk of drug related hepatotoxicity.
Aim: To determine the sero-prevalence rate of HBV among asymptomatic HIV sero-positive antenatal attendees in a Mission Hospital in Nigeria.
Subjects/Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the Sacred Heart Hospital Obudu, Nigeria, from 1st January to 30th June 2010. Eight hundred and thirty six subjects were counselled and recruited serially into the study. HBsAg screening was done using a rapid ELISA test. HIV-1 was screened and confirmed using two rapid tests.
Results: Out of the 836 subjects, 38(4.5%) were positive for HIV-1 among which 5(13.2%) were positive for HBsAg (P=0.09). The mean age and mean parity of HIV sero-positive subjects were 26.7±4.8 (range 18-38 years) and 2.1±1.2 (range 0-4) respectively. Most of the subjects were engaged in commercial activities and had either none or low level of education.
Conclusion: The sero-prevalence rate of HBV among HIV pregnant women in the study is 13.2%. We advocate routine screening of HIV pregnant women for HBV.Public enlightenment campaigns, women education, economic empowerment, and mass vaccination will go a long way in reversing and halting the spread of the infection in pregnancy.
Keywords: Sero-prevalence rate, HIV, HBsAg, co-infection, immunization, vertical transmission.
