Biomedical Research

Prevalence of HCV infection has increased in recent decades as a consequence of its incorporation into effective transmission networks, such as blood transfusion and most notably injecting drug users (IDU). Seroprevalence of Co- infection is common due to the common mode of transmissions in both HIV and HCV. It is estimated that 50% to 90% of IDUs with HIV also have HCV infection. This study was intended to identify the prevalence of Hepatitis C among HIV infected people. A descriptive cross-sectional type of study was conducted in National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) Kathmandu Nepal during the period from November 2011 to May 2012. Total of 678 cases with one or more risk behaviors were tested for anti-HIV1/2 by ELISA method during the study period. Confirmation is done by Western Blotting method. Positive samples (105) were screened for Anti-HCV by ELISA method. Among total 105 HIV positive cases, 13.33% were found to be reactive to Anti HCV antibody. Co-prevalence was found to be higher in age group 20-29 with 24.13 %( 7/29) followed by age group 30-39 with 16.66% (6/36). Co-prevalence among male cases was found to be 13.84% and among female 12.5 %( 5/40). Intravenous drug users were found to be highly co-infected (75%). Heterosexual groups are found to be co-infected with 1.3% (1/76). Coinfection is not found among cases of mother to child transmission group, blood transfused group and men sex with men group. The level of significance was found to be statistically significant with P<0.05 for Intravenous drug user.

Author(s): Chet Raj Ojha, Khagendra KC, Geeta Shakya
Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this