MAGNITUDE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTED ADULTS ATTENDING ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY CLINIC IN BALE ROBE HOSPITAL, SOUTHEASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is a worldwide public health problem. It is one of the cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. However, data is not well available on Hepatitis B Virus/Human Immuno deficiency co-infection from my study area. Therefore, this was aimed to determine the magnitude and factors associated with Hepatitis B Virus co-infection among Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected adults attending AntiRetroviral Therapy clinic in Bale Robe Hospital, Southeast Ethiopia from February 1- 28, 2018. A Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among 300 Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected adults. Participants were recruited consecutively. Data was collected by a face to face interview using pre-tested structured questionnaire and card review. Three milliliter of venous blood sample was collected and examined for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen using Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay at Goba Blood Bank. Data entry was done by using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed by using Statistical package for social science version 22. Bivariable and multivariable analysis was done on variables. The overall prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen was 9.7 % (29/300). Those study participants who practiced tattooing were more than four times more likely to be infected with Hepatitis B virus (AOR=4.34, 95 % CI, 1.21-15.6). Those study participants who had Human Immunodeficiency Virus viral load greater than 1000 copies/ml were 5.5 times more likely to be infected with Hepatitis B virus than those with viral load of lower than 1000 copies/ml (AOR=5.53, 95 % CI, 2.34–13.1). Those study participants who are in Advanced WHO Human Immunodeficiency Virus clinical stage were also more than three times more likely to be co-infected with Hepatitis B virus than those with early clinical stage (AOR=3.4, 95 % CI, 1.4 - 8.33). The prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection was found to be highly endemic in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected patients in the study area. Individuals having a tattooing, high viral load and late World Health Organization clinical stages were significantly associated with Hepatitis B virus co-infection. Creating awareness to avoid sharing of sharp objects, regular monitoring of viral load and adherence to treatment of anti-retroviral drug may contribute towards better clinical management of co-infected adults