Abstract

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Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus are among the leading causes of fatal infections worldwide. This study was conducted between August-December 2018 to determine the sero-prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection among patients attending two selected Hospitals in Gusau, Nigeria. One hundred and sixty eight (168) study subjects were recruited for this study. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture and screened for the presence of HIV antibodies and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) using determine and Hepatitis B first response rapid detection kits respectively. The HIV positive blood samples were retested using uni-gold and analyzed for CD4+ count. HbsAg positive blood samples were confirmed by ELISA and retested for various markers of HBV. Antibodies against HIV were detected in 8.3% (14/168) while HbsAg in 7.7% (13/168) and a coinfection of 2.9% (5/168). The mean CD4+ count in HIV positive subject was 354.4cells/µl of blood. Test for markers of HBV indicate Anti HBc as the most predominant (46.1%) while Anti-HBs was the least predominant. Both HIV and HBV were significantly associated with family type and history of sexually STDs. The findings of this study suggest that thorough investigations be employed especially for blood donors so that adequate clinical management can be planned for the infected persons as soon as they are diagnosed

Keywords: Prevalence, HIV, HBV and Coinfections.