Abstract:
lobally, an astounding number of people are infected with HBV, HCV and HIV. Due to
shared routes of transmission, HBV and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection is
common and is an emerging concern in the clinical management of patients because of
increased mortality, accelerated hepatic disease progression, and the frequent hepatotoxicity
caused by hepatitis B virus. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors
of HBsAg among individuals who were presented for voluntary counseling and testing for
HIV. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Gondar Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia.
Blood samples and data on sociodemographic and HBV risk factors were collected from 393-
VCT clients. The study subjects were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Data
were cleaned, entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Both bivariate
and multivariate analyses were done and p value less than 0.05 were considered statistically
significant. A total of 393 VCT clients were enrolled and the prevalence of HBsAg was
19(4.8%). The prevalence of HBsAg among farmers, clients with history of jaundice and HIV
sero-positive clients was, 16.1, 50 and 31.2%, respectively. In multivariate analyses history of
dental extraction (AOR=19.4, 95% CI=5.2 – 72.2, P=0.00), multi-sexual partner (AOR=16.4,
95% CI=2–130, P=0.008) and HIV sero status (AOR= 12.9, 95% CI=2.5– 66, P= 0.002) had
statistically significant association with HBV infection than those with other risk factors.
There was significant difference of HBsAg prevalence between HIV-positive and HIVnegative subjects. The prevalence of HBsAg among VCT clients, whether their sero status is
HIV positive or negative, is a public health concern to recommend screening at all levels and
consider a mechanism for intervention.
Keywords: Hepatitis B surface Antigen, Clients, VCT, HIV
*Author for Correspondence E-mail: bmeskel@gmail
