title: HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection among voluntary counselling and testing subjects at a regional hospital in Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Cameroon which had a prevalence of 5.1% in 2010 with 141 new infections per day. The fear of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is an obstacle to HIV prevention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection among people attending a health facility for VCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Venous blood was collected from participants using aseptic techniques in a descriptive observational cross-sectional study. DETERMINE HIV-1/2 and SD BIOLINE HIV-1/2 3.0 qualitative tests were used for the detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in their sera. Range and consistency checks were carried out on the data and analysed using Epi-Info.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 290 individuals tested, 78(26.9%) were positive for HIV-1 and HIV-2. Among the 78 HIV positive individuals, 62 (79.5%) had HIV-1, 1(1.3%) had HIV-2 and 15(19.2%) had concurrent HIV-1/ HIV-2. Among those infected, 57(73.1%) were females including 21(26.9%) males.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-1 is the major cause of AIDS and VCT is well accepted. Co-infection with HIV-1/HIV-2 may lead to anti-retroviral drug resistance. VCT should be encouraged so that positive cases can initiate therapy on time to stay ahead of anti-retroviral drug resistance.
authors: Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. nsaghads@hotmail.com
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Nsagha
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Njunda
authors: H L F
authors: HL
authors: Kamga
authors: J C N
authors: JC
authors: Assob
authors: E A
authors: EA
authors: Bongkem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D035141:Voluntary Programs; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AIDS; Cameroon; HIV-1; HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection; HIV-2; sero-prevalence; voluntary counselling and testing
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