Rapid screening for co-infection of HIV and HCV in pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are both major global health concerns as they cause high mortality and morbidity in the developing countries. However, while data exists for the co-infection in other countries, little or no information can be found with regard to the sero-prevalence of HIV and HCV co-infection in Nigeria, albeit in pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Benin City, Nigeria.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine the sero-prevalence of HIV and HCV among pregnant women seeking antenatal care in Benin City.


METHODS
In determining the sero-prevalence in a cross-sectional study, 200 pregnant women, aged between 15 and 49 years were screened for HIV and HCV using rapid screening test kits. Using closed ended structured questionnaires; the respondents volunteered socio-demographic information associated with risk factors of HIV and HCV acquisition.


RESULTS
Results indicated sero-prevalence of HIV and HCV in the sampled population was 3% and 5% respectively. Thirty three percent of the pregnant women that were HCV positive were co-infected with HIV-1 infection. HIV sero-prevalence was highest in the age group, 25-29 representing 5.1%, while HCV sero-prevalence was noted highest among the women in the age group 30-34 years, representing 7.9%. Two percent of the pregnant women had equivocal (ambivalent) HIV-1 results.


CONCLUSIONS
The study has shown a prevalence of HIV-HCV co-infection among the tested pregnant women in Benin City and more epidemiological surveys are needed in larger scale to decipher the prevalence in other states of Nigeria.
Duru
M U
MU
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.
Aluyi
H S A
HS
Anukam
K C
KC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies