Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus among highly active antiretroviral therapy experienced children in Gondar, Ethiopia

• Published in: Tropical medicine and health 2022-12, Vol.50 (1), p.97-97, Article 97
• Main Authors: Kasew, Desie, Wondmagegn, Mitikie, Bayleyegn, Biruk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Antiretroviral drugs; Children; HAART; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Mortality; Viruses
• ISSN: 1348-8945; 1349-4147; 1349-4147
• DOI: 10.1186/s41182-022-00489-2

Globally, chronic viral hepatitis is the cause of mortality alongside human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and tuberculosis. Published reports on the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among HIV-infected children are lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-experienced children at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among HAART-experienced children from January to May 2020. We collected the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants with pretested questioners and clinical data from medical records. We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based laboratory test for serum hepatitis B surface antigens and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies. Finally, we analyzed the frequency of all variables, determined the association of independent variables with hepatitis B and C viruses by using univariable and then multivariable logistic regression. A total of 241 HAART-experienced children were enrolled, 49.8% of whom were girls. The median age of participants was 13 years (interquartile range 11-14). The seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among HAART-experienced children were 9.5% and 2.9%, respectively. Being underweight was significantly associated with both hepatitis B virus (AOR = 3.87: 95% CI; 1.04-14.46, P = 0.044) and hepatitis C virus infections (AOR = 4.54: 95% CI; 1.21-17.04, P = 0.025). This study showed that the magnitude of hepatitis B and C viruses was high among HIV-infected children who were under HAART and did not know their hepatitis B and C infection status before. Being underweight was associated with both hepatitis viruses. Therefore, screening for hepatitis B and C viruses should be a routine measure for all HIV-infected children.