Prevalence of HCV and HCV/HIV co-infection among in-patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of HCV and HCV/HIV co-infection among medical in-patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital.


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional descriptive study.


METHODS
Kenyatta National Hospital, a tertiary referral and teaching hospital, in-patient department


METHODS
HIV/AIDS and HIV negative in-patients at KNH medical wards.


RESULTS
Among 458 HIV/AIDS medical in-patients, the prevalence of HCV was 3.7% while in the 518 HIV negative patients, it was 4.4%. The prevalence of co-infection with HCV and HIV was 3.7%. The incidence of risk factors in persons with HCV and/or HIV infection(s) was low.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found the prevalence of HCV infection among medical in-patients to be similar in HIV positive and HIV negative group of patients. The co-infection rates were low, as were the risk factors for transmission of these infections.
Karuru
J W
JW
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 19676, Nairobi, Kenya.
Lule
G N
GN
Joshi
M
M
Anzala
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001782:Blood Donors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution