# HIV and HCV co-infection in patients on antiretroviral therapy: a case study of selected health facilities in Ilorin, Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study found a 2.3% rate of HIV and HCV co-infection among patients on ART in Nigeria, with young married women being most affected.

## Contribution

The study provides new prevalence data and identifies demographic patterns of HIV/HCV co-infection in a Nigerian ART cohort.

## Key findings

- HIV/HCV co-infection prevalence was 2.3% among ART patients in Ilorin, Nigeria.
- All co-infected patients were married women on Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir.
- Co-infection was associated with higher viral load but not with age.

## Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) co-infection is an important healthcare challenge partly due to adverse prognosis of the dual disease burden. This study assessed the prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection and associated factors in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in public secondary care hospitals in Ilorin, Nigeria.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in two public secondary care hospitals that provide ART to people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ilorin, Nigeria. Based on Fisher’s formula, 303 study participants (SPs) were recruited using convenient sampling. Eligibility was based on consent, aged between 18 and 70 years, and receipt of ART for more than 6 months. All SPs received rapid diagnostic screening for HCV antibodies. Clinical and treatment data were obtained from their medical records. Descriptive and inferential (Fisher’s Exact Test) statistics were used to analyse the data with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Median age of SPs was 40 years, (interquartile range = 48 − 35), most were married (260/303 [85.8%]) and females (238/303 [78.5%]). Prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection was 2.3% ([7/303] 95% CI, 0.9–4.7%). All co-infected SPs were married females and on Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir. Co-infection was higher in age group ≤ 40 years (4/7 [57.1%]) although not significantly associated with age but associated with viral load (p < 0.001).

We found that HIV/HCV co-infection disproportionately affected young married women in this cohort of PLHIV on ART. Implementation of National HIV Treatment guidelines in Nigeria on routine HCV screening among PLHIV for early detection and appropriate management should be prioritized.

Not applicable.