Prevalence and Genotypes of HBV and HCV and the risk Factors for co-infection with HIV-1 Among Patients attending Ngong Sub-County Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

genotyping.Results: 190 HIV-1-infected patients participated in this study: 150 (78.9%) women and 40 (21.1%) men. The prevalence of HBV was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.6%-8.9%) and of HCV was 4.2% (95% CI, 1.6%-7.4%). However, no individual was co-infected with the three viruses. HCV was associated with ARV treatment (OR 0.2; 95% CI, 0.0-0.8; P = .036), while HBV showed a significant association with condom usage (OR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9; P = .039) and median viral load. 5 out of 11 samples that were positive for HbsAg, turned positive for HBV PCR and they belonged to genotype A and E. However, none of the samples that were positive for anti-HCV tested positive for HCV-PCR. Conclusion:Although a high prevalence of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV and several risk factors for co-infection were reported in this study, HIV-infected patients should be routinely screened for HBV and HCV infections and preventive and control measures should be put in place that include public education on HBV and HCV infections.