Sero-detection of Human Immunodeficiency, Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Displaced People around Nyala-South Darfur

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and possible risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), among displaced people living in camps around Nyala, South Darfur State, Sudan during the period from May to December, 2011. Five hundred (n=500) individuals were examined, males were 344 (68.8%) and females 156 (31.2%), with ages ranged from 18 to 75 years. Personal and clinical data were collected by questionnaire after a verbal consent. Serum samples were collected, tested for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV antibodies by using immunochromatographic test (ICT) and enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When ICT was used, 56 were shown HBsAg-positive (11.2%), 18 were positive for anti-HCV antibodies (3.6%), and 6 were HIV-positive (1.2%). However, when ELISA was employed, 66 were found HBsAg-positive (13.2%), 3 were anti-HCV-positive (0.6%) and 4 were anti-HIV-positive (0.8%). When some possible risk factors were examined , previous jaundice and blood transfusion were shown to have significant effect (p<0.05) on contraction of all three viral infections among the displaced people. However, no other risk factor (history of surgical operations, alcohol abuse, needle syringe injury, intravenous drugs abuse, or medical intervetion) had any significant effect (p> 0.05) on the above viral infections.