Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among HIV/AIDS patients attending national tuberculosis and leprosy training center, Saye-Zaria, Nigeria

SULAIMAN, Mamunu Abdulkadir; Musa, Fatima Kabir; Madika, Abubakar; Bishir, Musa; Hussaini, Ibrahim Muhammad; Aliyu, Muhammad Sani; IBRAHIM, Aminu

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.261492.1748

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among HIV/AIDS patients attending national tuberculosis and leprosy training center, Saye-Zaria, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

² Department of Medical Life Science, Beyero University, Kano, Nigeria

10.21608/mid.2024.261492.1748

Abstract

Background: Despite the public threat posed by Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Nigeria, the data on the frequency of their co-infection are scanty in some locations. Methods: In this study, 120 individuals living with HIV receiving care and treatment at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre (NTLTC) in Saye-Zaria, Nigeria, who consented were enrolled in the study to provide information about their socio-demographic characteristics using structured questionnaire. From each patient, 5ml of venous blood sample was collected and centrifuged using ROTOFIX 32A at 40RPM/RCF×100 for 30minutes. The plasma were used for the determination of HIV status (Alere Determine HIV-1/2 rapid test kit), quantification of HIV-1 RNA (AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan) and detection of HBsAg (OnSite HBsAg rapid test kit); the data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The results confirmed that all the patients recruited were HIV positive (100%), and the sero-prevalence of the HBsAg among them was 10.8%. The variables statistically identified as significant (p≤0.05) in relation to the infection were high HIV viral count, never being transfused with blood, intravenous injection with illicit drugs and history of the infection in the family, as well as unprotected sex and irregular use of HAART. Conclusion: Conclusively, the prevalence of the HBV infection among HIV patients is within the same range as previously reported in the country; there is a need to create more awareness on the dangers associated with unprotected sex, sharing of sharp objects, intravenous injection with illicit drugs and suboptimal commitment to HAART.

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