Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus among Individuals Living with HIV Infection in Ogbomoso

Hepatitis C virus affects 5-15% of the 38 million people living with HIV globally. Individuals living with HIV are six times more likely to contract HCV than those without HIV. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with liver disease including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronically-infected persons. However, in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals, increased rate of progression to cirrhosis and HCC has been reported This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of HCV infection among HIV positive individuals attending the antiretroviral clinic, Oyo state general hospital, Ogbomoso.
In this cross-sectional study, 392 individuals living with HIV were recruited for the study. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and qualitative screening was performed to detect the presence or absence of HCV antibodies in the blood samples using Rapid Diagnostics Test (Nantong Egens Biotechnology Co., Ltd., China.) according to the kit manufacturers instruction.
HCV antibodies was not detected in any of the 392 samples, resulting in a seroprevalence rate of 0.0%. The gender distribution showed a higher percentage of female, with 71% female and 29% male participants. Marital status showed, 62.5% were married, 15.8% single, 17.9% widowed, and 3.8% divorced or separated. Additionally, 20.4% had undergone blood transfusion, 6.6% engaged in unprotected sex, and 1.5% reported intravenous drug use (IDU).
This study found no evidence of HIV/HCV co-infection. This result may be attributed to the low prevalence of high-risk behaviors, as indicated by the 0.0% incarceration rate and the minimal proportion (1.5%) of intravenous drug users. However, the exclusive use of RDTs may underestimate true prevalence. Routine confirmatory screening using PCR or ELISA and continuous public health sensitization are recommended to prevent co-infection and improve outcomes.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), HIV co-infection

1. Adesegun, O. A., Olaniran, O. H., Bamidele, E., Inyang, J. N., Adegbe, M., Binuyo, T. O., Ehioghae, O., Adeyemi, O., Oyebisi, O., Idowu, A. O., & Ajose, O. (2020). HIV-hepatitis co-infection in a rural community in northern Nigeria. The Pan African medical journal, 36, 352. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2020.36.352.23978 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Agboghoroma, C. O. & Ukaire B. C. (2020) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at a Tertiary Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal, 61(5), 245-251. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Akhtar, A., Fatima, S., Saeed, H., Soo, C. T., & Khan, A. H. (2021, August). HIV-HCV Coinfection: Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes in Malaysia. Intervirology. https://doi.org/10.1159/000518836 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Alipour, A.; Rezaianzadeh, A.; Hasanzadeh, J.; Rajaeefard, A.; Davarpanah, M.A.; Hasanabadi, M. (2013). High prevalence of HCV coinfection in HIV-infected individuals in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. Eastern Mediterranian Health Journal 19, 975-981. https://applications.emro.who.int/emhj/v19/12/EMHJ_2013_19_12_975_981.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Barinuaka Baeka, G., Kola Oloke, J., & Oladele Opaleye, O. (2021). Detection of hepatitis C virus among HIV patients in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. African Health Sciences, 21(3), 1010-1015. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i3.82. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Cookey, T. I., Okonko, I. O., & Frank-Peterside, N. (2021). Zero prevalence of HIV and HCV coinfection in the highly HIV-infected population of Rivers State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 10(3), 9-16. DOI: 10.9734/AJRIMPS/2021/v10i330164 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Innocent-Adiele H. C., Michael B. B. T., Okonk I. O. & Ogbu O. (2021). Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among HIV Infected Individuals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. MedRxiv. 2021; 03.06.21253060. Available:https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.0 6.21253060 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Jargalsaikhan, G., Eichner, M., Boldbaatar, D., Bat-Ulzii, P., Lkhagva-Ochir, O., Oidovsambuu, O., Dashtseren, B., Namjil, E., Genden, Z., Yagaanbuyant, D., Tuya, A., Gurjav, N., Mordorj, A., Bungert, A., Dashdorj, N., & Dashdorj, N. (2020). Sensitivity and specificity of commercially available rapid diagnostic tests for viral hepatitis B and C screening in serum samples. PLOS ONE, 15(7), e0235036. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235036. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Jose-Abrego, A., Trujillo-Trujillo, M. E., Laguna-Meraz, S., Roman, S., & Panduro, A. (2024). Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in HIV Patients from West Mexico: Implications for Controlling and Preventing Viral Hepatitis. Pathogens, 13(5), 360. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050360 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Newton O. E. , Oghene O. A. , Okonko I. O. Anti-HCV antibody among newly diagnosed HIV patients in Ughelli, a suburban area of Delta State Nigeria. African Health Sciences. 2015;15(3):728-736 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Opaleye O. O., Igboama M. C., Ojo J. A., Odewale G. Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and HTLV among Pregnant Women in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry. 2016;37(1):29-42. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Oshun, P. O., Salu, O. B., & Omilabu, S. A. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among HIV positive patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology, 24(3), 274-281. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i3.7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Oti, V. B., Mohammed, I. H., Ibrahim, Y., Ibrahim, C., Orok, I., Saje, Y. Y., Ambrose, A. A., & Olotu, M. (2021). Epidemiologic survey of HBV, HCV and HIV infections in a pregnant women population in Central Nigeria: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology 7(194). https://doi.org/10.23937/2474-3658/1510194 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Thompson, P., Mpody, C., Sayre, W., Rigney, C., Tabala, M., Ravelomanana, N. L. R., Malongo, F., Kawende, B., Behets, F., Okitolonda, E., & Yotebieng, M. (2022). Hepatitis C prevalence and quality of health services among HIV-positive mothers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1384. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-05014-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Tizzot, Maria & Grisbach, Caroline & Holsbach Beltrame, Marcia & Reason, Iara. (2016). Seroprevalence of HCV markers among HIV infected patients from Curitiba and metropolitan region. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira. 62. 65-71. 10.1590/1806-9282.62.01.65. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Tsai H. C., Chou P. Y., Wann S. R., Lee S. S. J., Chen Y. S. (2015). Chemokine co-receptor usage in HIV-1-infected treatment-naïve voluntary counselling and testing clients in Southern Taiwan. BMJ Open. 2015;5(4):e007334. Available: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen2014-007334. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Ugwu, C. H. & Okonko, I. O., Oketah, P. O. & Okerentugba, N. P. (2023). Co-infection of Hepatitis C among HIV-infected patients: A cross-sectional study from A University Teaching hospital in Anambra State, Nigeria. Magna Scientia Advanced Biology and Pharmacy. 9. 10.30574/msabp.2023.9.1.0033. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. World Health Organization. (2024a). Global hepatitis report 2024: Action for access in low- and middle-income countries (1st ed.). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240091672 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. World Health Organization: (2024b). Hepatitis C: Key facts. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Tribal Child Nutrition and Health in District of Sundargarh: A Public Health Review of ICDS Intervention
• Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards Prostate Cancer Screening Amongst Men Aged 40-60 Years in The Buea Health District: A Cross-Sectional Study
• Compliance with JCI Protocols: A Focus on Employee Safety
• Influence and Involvement of Teachers in Menstrual Hygiene Management of Female Secondary School Students in Kogi State, Nigeria
• A Critical Evaluation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Bihar