Abstract:

Introduction: HBV and Syphilis share certain epidemiological characteristics and route of transmission with HIV, and co-infections are not uncommon. Against the backdrop of the need for understanding of the risk factors as a cornerstone for designing effective prevention and control interventions, this research determined the prevalence and some determinants of co-infection of hepatitis and syphilis among PLHIVs.

Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study among 350 PLHIVs seen at the General Hospital Calabar selected using multistage sampling method. Disease screenings were done using standard techniques. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 17.0.

Results: Prevalence of HBV and Syphilis were 0.014% and 0.086%, with co-infection rate of 1 out of 351 cases. Co-infections was not statistically significantly associated with any of the diseases (X² of 3.013 and p value of 0.006) despite only 205(58.3%) having low estimated sexual risk scores.

Conclusion: Though co-infection prevalence rate is low, HBV and syphilis screening should be included in pre-HAART care, and towards encouragement of sexual behavioural change among PLHIVs.

Key words: PLHIVs, Co-infections, Prevalence, Syphilis, HBV.

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