Burden and Predictors of HIV /Hepatitis B Co-infection in Rural Uganda

AIDS Research and Human RetrovirusesVol. 30, No. S1 Sexually Transmitted InfectionsFree AccessBurden and Predictors of HIV /Hepatitis B Co-infection in Rural UgandaClara Wekesa, Gershim Asiki, Ivan Kasamba, Rebecca N. Nsubuga, Robert Newton, Liz H. Young, Manjinder Sandhu, Alex Karabarinde, and Anatoli KamaliClara WekesaMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author, Gershim AsikiMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author, Ivan KasambaMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author, Rebecca N. NsubugaMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author, Robert NewtonMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author, Liz H. YoungWellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United KingdomUniversity of Cambridge, Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this author, Manjinder SandhuWellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United KingdomUniversity of Cambridge, Public Health and Primary Care, Cambridge, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this author, Alex KarabarindeMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this author, and Anatoli KamaliMRC/UVRI, Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Kampala, UgandaSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:30 Oct 2014https://doi.org/10.1089/aid.2014.5624.abstractAboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail P49.02Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV have similar transmission patterns and thus HBV/HIV co-infection is common and this increases morbidity, mortality and risk of transmission. We estimated the burden of HBV/HIV co-infection and determined the associated factors in rural Uganda to inform the design of targeted preventive interventions.Methods: In 2011 a population based survey was conducted among residents of an established rural general population cohort (aged≥13 years) in SW Uganda. Data on demographic characteristics, risky sexual behaviour (multiple and casual sex partners, condom use) were collected and all participants were tested for HIV (ELISA+Western Blot), HBV (HBsAg) and liver function. Participants with confirmed infections were referred for care where viral loads, CD4 count (HIV+only) were done. We determined the proportion of HBV/HIV co-infection and explored associated factors by logistic regression.Results: Of 8078 participants tested, 7% had HIV infection only; majority were female (66%) and the mean age was 38 years (±11.5SD), 36% were on ART with a mean CD4 count of 367.6cell/mm3 (±1.8SD). The HBV prevalence was 4.6% (27/584) among those infected with HIV and 3.0% among HIV uninfected participants. Compared to those infected with HIV only, HBV/HIV co-infected participants were more likely to have had sex with a casual partner in the last 12 months (31.8% vs 14.4% p=0.04) and to have elevated liver transaminases (p=0.04). Sex, number of sexual partners, CD4 count, HIV RNA viral load and use of ART were not associated with co-infections.Conclusions: In this population we found high risk sexual behaviour as a predictor of HBV/HIV co-infection. The presence elevated liver enzymes may be a surrogate marker for acute hepatitis reflecting a higher risk of liver damage among co-infected participants. Preventive interventions that target both HIV and HBV are needed among high risk groups.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 30Issue S1Oct 2014 InformationCopyright 2014, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Clara Wekesa, Gershim Asiki, Ivan Kasamba, Rebecca N. Nsubuga, Robert Newton, Liz H. Young, Manjinder Sandhu, Alex Karabarinde, and Anatoli Kamali.Burden and Predictors of HIV /Hepatitis B Co-infection in Rural Uganda.AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.Oct 2014.A276-A277.http://doi.org/10.1089/aid.2014.5624.abstractPublished in Volume: 30 Issue S1: October 30, 2014PDF download