# People living with HIV co-infected with HBV at the Nkembo Outpatient Treatment Center, Gabon: prevalence and associated factors

## TL;DR

This study found that 10.5% of people living with HIV in Gabon are co-infected with hepatitis B virus, highlighting the need for HBV screening.

## Contribution

The study identifies key risk factors for HBV co-infection among PLHIV in Gabon, including low CD4 count and high HIV viral load.

## Key findings

- The prevalence of HBV among PLHIV was 10.5%.
- Risk factors include alcohol intake, elevated transaminases, low CD4 count, high HIV viral load, and lack of vaccination.

## Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global public health problem that affects many people, including people living with HIV (PLHIV). In Gabon, HBV infection remains a concern among PLHIV. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and its associated risk factors among PLHIV at the Nkembo Outpatient Treatment Center in Gabon.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Nkembo Outpatient Treatment Center in Gabon from 25 March to 31 May 2024, involving 410 PLHIV. Blood samples (plasma) were collected for analysis. The OnSite HBV-5 Rapid Test was used to detect the HBs antigen and HBe antigen. CD4 + counting was performed using the BD FACSPresto™ system. The measurement of HBV and HIV viral loads was carried out using the QuantStudio™5 device, after performing extraction using GenoXtract® (version 1.0). Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS (version 21.0).

Among the 410 PLHIV, the seroprevalence of HBV was 10.5% (95% CI: 7.9–13.8). Alcohol intake (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI:1.2–3.4, p = 0.006), elevated transaminases (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI:1.8–4.8, p = 0.0001), CD4 + count less than 200 cells/mm3 (aOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.2–5.8, p = 0.0001), HIV viral load greater than 1,000 copies/mL (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4–4.4, p = 0.001), and being unvaccinated (aOR = 2.2 95% CI: 1.2–3.8 p = 0.011) were identified as risk factors associated with HBV infection among PLHIV.

The prevalence of HBV remains a concern among PLHIV. Therefore, HBV screening is strongly recommended to improve the management of PLHIV in order to reduce this burden of co-infection.