Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy and the dramatic
improvement in the prognosis of individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, liver disease due to
chronic viral hepatitis has become as important cause of morbidity and mortality in co-infected
individuals. The objective of the study was to determine the Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus,
Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the association of the virus with Hepatitis B
Virus and Hepatitis C Virus infection. As Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus
infections are highly prevalent and they are among the major public health concern in developing
countries including Ethiopia investigating this problem is of paramount benefit. Although studies on coinfection of Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus have clearly identified adverse
effects of co-infection, the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus infection and the association with Human
Immunodeficiency Virus in developing countries including Ethiopia has not been know for sure.
METHOD: A cross sectional study was conducted from January 1 to 31, 2010, in Jimma University
specialized hospital Blood Bank. The inclusion criteria of the study was adult who donated blood to
Jimma University specialized hospital blood bank any time from establishment of the unit until January
2010 and whose record was retrieved. Accordingly 9,204 adults were included of which 6,063 were
selected by lottery method. Data on socio-demographic variables (age and sex), laboratory test result for
Hepatitis B surface Antigen, anti- Hepatitis C Virus antibody, anti- Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1
antibody, and Rapid Plasma Reagin tests were collected using structured questionnaire. After the data
were collected, they were entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS -16 for windows. P-Value of
< 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.
RESULTS: The prevalence rate of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Human Immunodeficiency
Virus and syphilis infection were 2.1%, 0.2%, 2.1% and 0.7%, respectively. Sex and age had statistically
significant association with Human Immunodeficiency and Hepatitis B virus infections where females
were less likely to be infected. As age increases above 20 years, the risk of infection with Human
Immunodeficiency Virus or Hepatitis B Virus increases. There was no association between Hepatitis B
Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
CONCLUSION: the prevalence rate of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Human
Immunodeficiency Virus infections among blood donors in Jimma University specialized hospital were
lower as compared to previous studies, in addition there was no association between Hepatitis B Virus,
Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Thus, community based study should be
conducted to confirm the relationship of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus and Human
Immunodeficiency Virus
