Dual positivity of HIV and anti-HCV in the highly infected population of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study looked to establish dual positivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody among HIV-infected individuals in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Plasma samples from 89 HIV-infected individuals presenting at the Retroviral Clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, Nigeria, were assayed for anti-HCV-antibody. Seropositivity of anti-HCV-antibody was detected with ELISA kits. Variables tested include sex, age group, educational status, marital status and occupation. Significant variance (p<0.05) existed between patients with mono-HIV infection and those with dual infection of HIV and HCV. Of these infections, 20(22.5%) had HIV and HCV dual infection, while 69(77.5%) had HIV mono-infection. Higher seroprevalence of HIV was found in females [65(73.0%)] than males [24(27.0%)]. The highest seroprevalence of HIV was found in the age group 41-60 years [41(46.1%)], and the age-group 20-30 years had the least prevalence [19(21.3%)]. Also, females had higher HIV and HCV dual positivity (23.1%) than males (20.8%). The age group 31-40 years in this study had the highest HIV and HCV dual positivity (34.5%), while the age group 41-60 years had the lowest prevalence (12.2%). Regarding marital status, singles constituted most study participants and had a dual positivity rate of 28.6% for HIV and HCV. This dual positivity was higher than those divorced and married, with 20.0% and 14.3% prevalence, respectively. Patients with tertiary education (27.3%) and those employed (41.2%) had a higher prevalence than others. None of these demographic characteristics was significantly associated with HIV-HCV dual positivity (p>0.05) except for occupations (p=0.04). Our study further confirms the dual positivity of HIV and anti-HCV in Rivers State, Nigeria. Planned prevention, screening, and treatment are required to reduce further transmission and morbidity.