Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Associated Factors among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Adults Attending Antiretroviral Therapy at Bale Robe Hospital, Southeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally. However, there was a lack of data in the current study area. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus among human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults attending antiretroviral therapy at Bale Robe Hospital, southeastern Ethiopia.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 HIV-positive adults between February 1 and 30, 2018. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview using a pretested, structured questionnaire. A checklist was used to collect information from the patient’s clinical records. A venous blood sample was collected and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22. A p-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B was 9.7% (95% CI: 6.8, 13.5). Tattooing (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 1.21, 15.58), HIV viral load greater than 1000 copies/mL (AOR = 5.53, 95% CI: 2.34, 13.1), and WHO clinical stages 3 and 4 (AOR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.38, 8.33) were factors associated with hepatitis B virus infection.

Conclusions: Infection with the hepatitis B virus was high in patients with HIV in the study area. Tattooing, unsuppressed viral load, and advanced WHO clinical stages were found to be independent predictors. Therefore, promotion of awareness about the role of tattooing in hepatitis B virus transmission, regular monitoring of viral load, and improving adherence support are all recommended for people with HIV.