Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Among Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Experienced Children in Gondar, Ethiopia

Overview

Journal Trop Med Health

Specialty Tropical Medicine

Date 2022 Dec 21

PMID 36544183

Authors

Desie Kasew

Mitikie Wondmagegn

Biruk Bayleyegn

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Globally, chronic viral hepatitis is the cause of mortality alongside human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and tuberculosis. Published reports on the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among HIV-infected children are lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-experienced children at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among HAART-experienced children from January to May 2020. We collected the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants with pretested questioners and clinical data from medical records. We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based laboratory test for serum hepatitis B surface antigens and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies. Finally, we analyzed the frequency of all variables, determined the association of independent variables with hepatitis B and C viruses by using univariable and then multivariable logistic regression.

Results: A total of 241 HAART-experienced children were enrolled, 49.8% of whom were girls. The median age of participants was 13 years (interquartile range 11-14). The seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among HAART-experienced children were 9.5% and 2.9%, respectively. Being underweight was significantly associated with both hepatitis B virus (AOR = 3.87: 95% CI; 1.04-14.46, P = 0.044) and hepatitis C virus infections (AOR = 4.54: 95% CI; 1.21-17.04, P = 0.025).

Conclusions: This study showed that the magnitude of hepatitis B and C viruses was high among HIV-infected children who were under HAART and did not know their hepatitis B and C infection status before. Being underweight was associated with both hepatitis viruses. Therefore, screening for hepatitis B and C viruses should be a routine measure for all HIV-infected children.

Citing Articles

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses and Their Associated Factors Among Military Personnel at Military Camps in Central Gondar, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abebe A, Assefa M, Belete D, Ferede G Infect Drug Resist. 2024; 17:1407-1417.

PMID: 38628243 PMC: 11019156. DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S455562.

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