Prevalence Of Hepatitis B And HIV And Their Co-infection In Female Sex Workers In Nagpur Region.

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), have common modes of transmission. Globally, sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are the highest among population subgroups such as sex workers. Objective is to - (i) Study of Hepatitis B infections and HIV infection in female sex workers (ii) Co-infection rate of HBV and HIV among this population (iii) Simultaneous comparision of infection HBV and HIV infection in healthy female population(blood donar). Methodology: This study was conducted in the department of microbiology IGGMC Nagpur from October 2014 to August 2015. Their sera were tested for the HBsAg and HIV antibodies. Results: A total 400 samples were tested (200 samples of female sex workers and 200 samples of healthy female blood donors. The seropositivity of HBV in FSWs is 1.5% and of HIV is 2%, none of FSWs were coinfected with both the infections. That of healthy female donors HBV prevalence is 0.5% and HIV is also 0.5% similarly none were coinfected with both the infections. Conclusion: The prevalence of Hepatitis-B virus infection and HIV infection is low among the female sex workers in Nagpur region. Similarly prevalence in healthy female population is also low. Targeted intervention among the risk group is effective measure in decreasing the hepatitis B infection rate.