Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 & Hepatitis B Virus Co-Infection & Risk Factors for Acquiring These Infections in the Fako Division of Southwest Cameroon

Past studies have demonstrated that a large population of Cameroonians are afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) demonstrating a need for better prevention programs. We aim to describe the prevalence of HIV, HBV and HIV/HBV co-infection; examine the association between HIV and HBV; and determine risk correlates associated with HIV and HBV transmission in Southwest Cameroon.

A cross-sectional, community-based surveillance study was conducted among adults in five hospitals , one in each of the five health districts of  the Fako division of the Southwest region of Cameroon. Participants underwent pre- and post-test counselling, a 30-question survey and blood draw for HIV and HBV serologic testing. To construct a final model, chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to investigate associations.

Among 761 participants, 40.32 % were male, mean age was 35.21 ± 12.42 years, and the prevalence of HIV, HBV and HIV/HBV co-infection was 10.69 % , 9.86 % , and 1.16 % , respectively. There was no association between HIV and HBV infection. However, there was a statistically significant crude associated between HIV and three high-risk sexual behaviour variables: condom use, number of lifetime sexual partners, and age at first sexual intercourse. After adjustment, HIV status continued to be associated with number of lifetime sexual partners and age at first sexual intercourse. In contrast, none of the high-risk sexual behaviours was associated with HBV.

The prevalence of HIV and HBV was relatively high in the Southwest region of Cameroon, emphasizing the importance of intervention and treatment programs in this country. Additionally, the results from this study suggest that unlike HIV, HBV is not associated with sexual risk factors and may provide evidence that HBV is acquired through routes other than sexual transmission, warranting further investigation in this region.

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/Wstw5x

By: Lauren Shevell¹, Henry Dilonga Meriki^2*, Fidelis Cho-Ngwa³ and Crystal Fuller¹

¹Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA

²Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

³Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  

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