Detection of Hepatitis B Virus among HIV Positive Fresh Undergraduate Students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aims: This study was carried out to ascertain hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection among fresh undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Lulu Briggs Health Center, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between June 2014 and July 2015.

Methodology: The study was conducted on fresh undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt (43 male and 57 female) accessing HIV services at Lulu Briggs Health Center, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, who consented to be part of the study. A total of 100 patients were recruited for the study. All 100 blood samples were HIV positive and then screened using HBsAg one-step Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test strip and HBsAg one Ultra ELISA kit for the detection of HBsAg.

Results: HBsAg was detected in 2(2%) of the subjects. Patients of the age group 16-20 years had the highest percentage of HIV/HBV co-infection (6.5%). HIV/HBV co-infection was dominant among males 1 in 43(2.3%) than in females 1 in 57(1.8%). However, age (p= 0.1031) and sex (p= 0.8399) were not statistically associated.

Conclusion: This study confirmed the presence of HIV/HBV co-infection in the study population. This highlights the necessity to create awareness of HBV prevention and transmission among HIV positive individuals.