Frequency of HIV and viral Hepatitis B co-infection in children aged 1 to 15 years attended in a hospital environment in Parakou (Benin)

Abstract

Background: HIV and viral hepatitis B have the same mode of transmission in child dominated by vertical transmission. Objective: The focus of this research work was to determine the frequency of HIV and viral hepatitis B co-infections in HIV-positive infants and children in a hospital environment and to identify the factors associated with that co-ïnfection. Materials and methods: It was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted in a pediatric hospital unit located in the North-Benin over the period from May to August 2014. Infants and children under 15 years at the time of screening attended for HIV infection care were included. Averages were compared with Student t-test or Pearson Chi-square test at 0.05 threshold limit and also by using prevalence reporter with OR as the case may be. Results: A total of 104 infants and children were tested. Mean age was 8 years ± 4.03 years. Sex ratio was 1.03. Among them, 28.85% were immunized against hepatitis B, 24.04% had history of blood transfusion and 43.27% history of scarification. Mean CD4 count in children under 5 years of age was 19.8 ± 17.8. HIV/HBV co-infection frequency was 9.62%. It was associated with maternal age (p=0.038), histrory of circumcision (p=0.019), presence of hepatomegaly (p=0.00) and with ALT value (p=0.001). Conclusion: HIV and HBV co-infection should be investigated in followed up children. Screening for viral hepatitis should be on a regular basis during pregnancy in HIV-positive women so as to ensure better care for the infants exposed as from birth.