Association of hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus infections in Tanzanian population groups
Shao, J.F.; Haukenes, G.; Yangi, E.; Vollset, S.E.
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology 12(1): 62-64
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0934-9723 PMID: 8462566 DOI: 10.1007/bf01997062Document Number: 329693
In Tanzania between June and September 1989, health workers collected 460 blood samples from army recruits, health personnel, and pregnant women from the Dar es Salaam area to determine whether an association exists between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HIV-1 infection since these viruses share similar transmission routes. The HIV seropositivity rate for all groups combined was 57.8% and the HBV seropositivity rate was 29.1%. For all groups combined, 61.9% of HIV seropositive subjects tested positive for HBV compared with 51.5% for HIV seronegative subjects, but the difference was not significant (p .05). On the other hand, HIV seropositive pregnant women were more likely to have the presence of HBV markers than were HIV seronegative pregnant women (66.7% vs. 49%; p .01). The researchers could not conduct separate statistical analyses of army recruits and health personnel because the number of HIV seropositive individuals was too small. These findings suggested that young girls and women may have acquired HBV through heterosexual intercourse also leading to HIV transmission.
Document emailed within 0-6 h
