Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus infections in young women seeking abortion care in Ethiopia: a cross - sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundYoung women aged 15–24 years are members of key populations at higher risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) acquisition through sexual intercourse. In areas where unprotected sex is a common practice, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) commonly transmitted via sexual and parenteral routes. The study aimed at determining HIV and HBV infections prevalence in young women attending health institutions for abortion care in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross - sectional study was conducted from January 2015 to June 2015. Convenient sampling technique was used. Demographic and explanatory variables were collected using a structured questionnaire via face to face interview. The presence of antibody to HIV infection was detected using national HIV diagnostic test algorithm. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected using ELISA. Data were analyzed using descriptive, fisher’s exact and independent sample T test as appropriate.ResultsA total of 360 young women aged 15–24 years participated in the study. The median age of the women was 22 years. Overall, 16 (4.4 %) (95 % CI: 2.7–7.1 %) women were positive for either HBV or HIV infections. The prevalence of HIV and HBV infections were 9 (2.5 %) (95 % CI: 1.3–4.7 %) and 7 (1.94 %) (95 % CI: 0.95–4.0 %), respectively. The mean age of first sexual intercourse was 17.6 and 19.3 in HIV and HBV infected women, respectively. The prevalence of HIV infection was significantly associated with lower educational status (P < 0.001), divorced marital status (P = 0.009) and ever had symptom of other sexually transmitted infections (P = 0.001). The proportion of HBV was higher in women aged 15–17 years (P = 0.02).ConclusionThough there were no co-infections, HIV and HBV infections are major health problems in young women seeking abortion care. Therefore, appropriate prevention, treatment and care services must be reached to these higher risk populations.

Sero-Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Services in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…This could be one prominent reason history of abortion and being in the age under 20 has a similar effect on pregnant mothers’ sero-positivity for HBsAg. This was similar to the finding reported by, 35 where the proportion of HBV infection was significantly higher in the age group between 15 and 17 years old 30 and, <25-yearold pregnant women.…”

The prevalence of HBsAg, knowledge and practice of hepatitis B prevention among pregnant women in the Limbe and Muyuka Health Districts of the South West region of Cameroon: a three-year retrospective study

“…However, the prevalence rate in this study is lower than the 9.7% in Buea health district [11] and 7.7% in the North West region of Cameroon [21]. The prevalence rate in this study is higher than the 1.94% seroprevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women attending ANC clinic in Ethopia [22]. The observed difference in HBV distribution across the different geographical location might be attributed to variation in socio demographic characteristics of the study population such as socio-cultural environment, cultural practices, sexual practices, medical exposure and the difference in hepatitis epidemiology.…”

<p>Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Adults in Southwest Ethiopia: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…It is the leading cause of liver disease and the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma increased in patients with chronic HBV infection. 4 In sub-Saharan Africa, 26% of liver cancer is due to HBVand 19 (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) per 1000 deaths attributed due to it. 5 The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in sub-Saharan Africa ranges from 5% to 25%.…”

“…Most reports regarding HBV were from institutional-based studies and among the high-risk group of people. [18][19][20][21][22] Even though few community-based studies on seroepidemiology of HBV prevalence in Ethiopia have been previously done and indicated that hepatitis B is endemic in Ethiopia with regional variation, 15,23 community-based studies are still limited. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg among adults within the community and identify factors associated with hepatitis B virus infection in Southwest Ethiopia.…”