Seroprevalence and risk factors of HIV, hepatitis B and C viral infections among otherwise healthy Nigerian university students

A. Omatola, C.; Daniel, Saviour; Abraham, Joseph; Okolo, Martin-Luther Oseni; Samson, Sunday; Ali, Victor; Emurotu, Olubunmi; Muhammed, Danjuma; Danjuma, Ibrahim Salisu; Edegbo, Emmanuel; Akor, Eneojo; Adejo, Omebije; Sani, John; Onate, Silas; Adaji, David; Nfor, Gilbert; Okino, Umar; Okoye, Sandra

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.310540.2140

	Seroprevalence and risk factors of HIV, hepatitis B and C viral infections among otherwise healthy Nigerian university students
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 08 November 2024
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/mid.2024.310540.2140
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Authors
C. A. Omatola ¹; Saviour Daniel¹; Joseph Abraham¹; Martin-Luther Oseni Okolo¹; Sunday Samson²; Victor Ali¹; Olubunmi Emurotu¹; Danjuma Muhammed³; Ibrahim Salisu Danjuma⁴; Emmanuel Edegbo¹; Eneojo Akor¹; Omebije Adejo¹; John Sani¹; Silas Onate¹; David Adaji⁵; Gilbert Nfor⁶; Umar Okino⁷; Sandra Okoye⁸
¹Department of Microbiology, Kogi State University, Anyigba P. M. B. 1008, Kogi State, Nigeria
²Department of Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Wybrzeże Wyspianskiego 29, Poland
³Department of Biology, Epidemiology, and Public Health Unit, Universiti Putra Malaysia
⁴Department of Microbiology, Federal University Oye, Ekiti State, Nigeria
⁵Department of Biotechnology Science and Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville, United States
⁶School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa
⁷Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kogi State University, Anyigba P. M. B. 1008, Kogi State, Nigeria
⁸Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, USA
Abstract
Background: HIV, Hepatitis B, and C viral infections remain a global health concern with worrisome prevalence, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The current study determined their prevalence and predisposing risk factors among undergraduates of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU). Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, blood samples collected from 200 students were screened for HIV, HBV, and HCV using commercial rapid immunoassay kits. Data on demographics and behavioral risk factors were obtained from each consenting student using a structured questionnaire. Results: Overall, 5.5% (11/200), 3.5% (7/200), and 1.0% (2/200) students were positive for HIV, HBV, and HCV infections, respectively. One student was co-infected with HIV/HCV (0.5%) while none had a triple infection. HIV seroprevalence was significantly predicted by gender (OR= 8.4, 95% CI: 0.01-0.88, p=0.01), presence of scarification mark (OR= 5, 95% CI: 1.61-20.62, p=0.003), intake of alcohol (p=0.03), and increasing number of sexual partners (p=0.04). The prevalence of both HIV and HCV significantly increased with a history of sexually transmitted diseases. Students without prior knowledge of HBV infection showed higher infection rates (6.9% vs 1.6%) and not being vaccinated against the virus significantly predicted susceptibility to HBV infection (p=0.04). Conclusion: Findings from our study in comparison with previous epidemiological studies show that the overall HIV prevalence is still relatively high whereas that of HBV has decreased, and HCV prevalence remained stable. Thus, we advocate for a concerted effort to provide regular HIV, HBV, and HCV testing and counseling services on campus to facilitate early detection and management of cases. The significant susceptibility to HBV infection in non-vaccinated subjects suggests a need for improved vaccination services.
Keywords
HIV; HBV; HCV; tertiary students; asymptomatic


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