Associated risk factors with seroprevalence of HIV and HBV co-infection among Pregnant women attending guelendeng health District in the Mayo-kebbi East Region of Chad

Abstract

Background: In Republic of Chad, the seroprevalence of HIV among antenatal pregnant women is known as decreasing over years meanwhile the epidemiological data among pregnant women for hepatitis B virus are scarce. The co-infection HIV/HBV increases the risk of mother to child transmission of both viruses. This study aimed to determine the rate of HIV, HBV co-infection and to identify the associated risk factors among pregnant women attending Guelendeng health district (GHD). Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted from March to May 2019 among pregnant women attending GHD. The questionnaire included demographics, AIDS and HBV knowledge, behavior factors and history of blood transfusion. Blood samples were obtained and tested serologically for HIV and HBV. The study of associations between exposure and outcome variables was sought with the odds ratio (OR), expressed with 95% confidence interval. Tests were performed using Epi info 7.0 with p<0.05 considered as significant. Results: Out of 200 enrolled pregnant women, the median age was 25years old with interquartile range from 20.5 to 30 years old. The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and the co-infection HIV/HBV were 4.5% (95% CI: 2.1%-8.4%; 9/200), 13% (95% CI: 8.7%-18.5%; 26/200) and 2% (95 % IC: 0.6%-5%; 4/200) respectively. The antenatal age was associated to HBV infection (p=0.04) unlike HIV infection (p=0.4) and HIV/HBV co-infection (p=0.52). Women aged more than 29 years were most affected. Bivariate analysis identified that the non-use of condom (OR 7.79, 95% CI: 1.9-32.6, p=0.004) and blood transfusion history (OR 17.9, 95% CI: 2.6-124.8, p=0.01) were associated risk factors of contracting HIV. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HIV and HBV remains high among pregnant women attending antenatal ward in Guelendeng Health District with associated risk factors such as age, blood transfusion and the non-use of condom with new sexual partners.