Infection with HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B in Ethiopia: a survey in blood donors
Rahlenbeck, S.I.; Yohannes, G.; Molla, K.; Reifen, R.; Assefa, A.
International Journal of Std and Aids 8(4): 261-264
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0956-4624 PMID: 9147161 DOI: 10.1258/0956462971919886Document Number: 269617
Sera of all male donors appearing at the blood bank of a regional hospital in Northwest Ethiopia in 1994 (n=1022) and 1995 (n=1164), were screened for the presence of HIV-1 and treponemal antibodies. Additionally, screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was carried out on 549 consecutive sera. In 1995, the crude seroprevalence of HIV-1 infection and syphilis was 16.7% and 12.8%. Seroprevalence of HBsAg was 14.4%. HIV and syphilis seroprevalence was highest in soldiers (30.6% and 20.9%) and daily workers (18.8% and 13.5%), and lowest in farmers (8% and 6.7%). However, farmers had the highest rate of HBsAg (18.8%). HIV-positive donors had an increased risk of being positive for syphilis antibodies (OR=3.69, 95% CI=2.69-4.96), but not for HBsAg (OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.36-1.67). The data indicate that (i) the HIV epidemic has not yet reached a plateau phase in Ethiopia, and (ii) the transmission and epidemiology of HBsAg in Ethiopia is different from that of HIV and syphilis.