@Article{pakinsight,
AUTHOR = {},
TITLE = {Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Children Attending an Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic in Lafia, Nigeria},
JOURNAL = {The Asia Journal of Applied Microbiology},
VOLUME = {3},
YEAR = {2016},
NUMBER = {4},
PAGES = {38-43},
URL = {http://www.pakinsight.com/archive/33/12-2016/4},
ISSN = {2313-8157},
ABSTRACT = {Nigeria has the largest burden of children living with HIV in the world 
but because of antiretroviral therapy, they are living longer. However, 
hepatitis B and C viruses are emerging important co-morbidities to 
consider especially for management decisions. This study set out to 
determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among these 
children and to identify possible risk factors associated with the 
infections. Two hundred HIV-infected children at an antiretroviral 
treatment center were screened for Hepatitis B and C seromarkers using 
rapid test kits (ABCON Laboratories Hangzhou China). Informed written 
consent was obtained from their parents/guardian and information on 
their sociodemographics and exposure to some possible risk factors were 
obtained. A general prevalence of infection with hepatitis B and C virus
 in the study population was 14.0%. The prevalence of HBV was 3.0% while
 HCV was 11.0% and no child was coinfected with all 3 viruses. The 
HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV coinfection prevalence of 3.0% and 11.0% 
respectively is a cause for alarm. It is therefore pertinent that HIV 
infected children are screened for these viruses before commencement and
 during antiretroviral therapy.},
DOI = {10.18488/journal.33/2016.3.4/33.4.38.43}
}