Viral Hepatitis-HIV Co-Infection and their associated factors in Negeri Sembilan - a cross sectional study from HIV Case Registry

Abstract Background: Viral Hepatitis HIV Co-infection is an important and preventable cause of chronic liver disease, and having them lead to many consequences, especially for those living in wrenched conditions. Thus it is a significant health issue in the communities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Viral Hepatitis-HIV Co-Infection and determine the associated variables with this Co-Infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done using HIV Case Registry ( Anti Retroviral -(ARV) line listing). We included 1274 patients who were seen under the HIV Clinic services, which were screened for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus ( HCV) upon registered to the clinic. Factors associated with the HBV-HIV and HCV-HIV were determined using bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis using SPSS and odds ratio was used as the measures of association. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all the tests. Results: From the 1274 number of HIV patients, the prevalence of HBV-HIV is 5.6% (71 cases), while the prevalence with HCV co-infection was 14.8% (189 cases). As for the frequency of multiple HIV-Coinfection, out of 238 HIV cases with Co-Infection, the majority of 167 cases (70.17%) were HCV-HIV Co-Infected followed by 49 cases (20.5%) were HBV-HIV Co-Infected. In comparison, another 22 cases ( 9.24%) were Co-Infected with HBV-HCV-HIV. In the final model of HBV-HIV Co-Infection, only male gender, CD4 count category less than 199 cells/mm3 and primary care type of facilities were associated with the disease whereas, in the HCV-HIV Coinfection, only male gender, Malay race, Intravenous Drug User (IVDU) modes of transmission, and source of the case from high-risk screening program were associated with the disease. Conclusions: Co-Infection with HCV-HIV is more prevalent from HBV-HIV in our study population. A more targeted intervention of HBV revaccination and more frequent screening of HCV post HCV treatment as reinfection is anticipated in high-risk behaviour patient are some of the intervention programs that can be suggested.