Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis E and Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infections Among People Living with HIV Attending a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infections among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain an important public health concern because of their potential to accelerate liver disease progression and worsen clinical outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HEV and HCV co-infections and identify associated risk factors among HIV-seropositive patients attending the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 289 HIV-seropositive adults receiving healthcare services at the study centre. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for anti-HEV IgG and anti-HCV antibodies using rapid diagnostic tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for the detection of HEV and HCV co-infections. The prevalence of HEV-HIV co-infection was 12.8%, while HEV-HCV-HIV triple co-infection was observed in 9.3% of participants. Participants aged 31–40 years, males, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and those with CD4+ cell counts >250 cells/µL demonstrated higher odds of HEV co-infection compared with HCV and HEV-HCV co-infections among HIV-seropositive patients. The findings highlight the burden of viral hepatitis co-infections among people living with HIV in North-Central Nigeria and underscore the need for strengthened public health awareness, routine screening programs, voluntary counselling services, and preventive interventions targeting high-risk populations.