Frequency of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B and C Virus among Ethiopian Residents in Khartoum State

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).