Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and
possible risk factors for Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
infections among Ethiopian (including both Ethiopians
and Eritreans) residents at Khartoum State, Sudan.
The samples were collected from the apparently healthy
individuals attending Althora Medical Centre, Omdurman
and The Academy Teaching Charity Hospital, Khartoum.
Hundred (n= 100) apparently healthy individuals of both
sexes and of ages ranging from 15 to 35 years., were
investigated for the specific anti-HIV antibodies, Hepatitis
B surface Antigen (HBsAg), and anti-HCV antibodies
during the period from July to October, 2012. Seventy of
the examined subjects were Ethiopians and thirty were
Sudanese (as control).
The third and fourth generation Enzyme-Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used as screening test
and the Western blot technique (WBT) was used as
confirmatory test for HIV infection, while third and fourth
generation ELISA was used for HBsAg and HCV
antibodies.
Out of the 70 Ethiopians examined, five were found
positive (7.1%) for HIV infection by both ELISA and WBT,
four (5.7%) were found and confirmed positive for HBV
infection, and no positive HCV infection was detected
among all examined individuals.
All Sudanese individuals examined (n=30) were shown
negative for all three viral infections.
The rate of HIV infection was higher (20%) among age
group 21–25 years (all were females), compared to other
groups 2.5% among age group 15 – 20 years) and high
among the married 9.7% compared to the single
individuals (5.1%). For HBV infection, the rate was 5%
among both age groups 15 – 20, and 21 – 25, and 50% in
age group 31 – 35 years. The rate was high among
females (5.8%), and among the single (7.7%) individuals
examined.
There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in
the frequency of all three viral infections among
Ethiopians compared to Sudanese individuals, also no
significant effect (p > 0.05) was observed for all the
predisposing factors examined in this study (e.g. Sex,
marital status, previous blood transfusion and surgical
operations).
