Abstract
Background: The lives of patients living with HIV/AIDs have improved in terms of
longer life expectancy and quality. This has seen the emergence of complications of
the disease and the drugs such as metabolic syndrome and re-emergence of tuberculosis.
Co-infection with other viruses especially the hepatic viruses has also become a
major source of concern. The aim of this research is to determine the incidence of
hepatitis B and E among this group of patients. Methods and Findings: Blood samples
were collected from 156 consecutive HIV positive patients on HAART, informed
consent having been obtained previously. The patients were screened both for hepatitis
B and E using standard procedures. A questionnaire was administered to all participants.
The results are illustrated with tables following analysis with SPSS version
10. It was found that 24.5% were positive for hepatitis E while 7.8% were positive for
hepatitis B. It was also found that educational status was the only statistical significant
variable for HEV co-infection. Taking the value of alanine transaminase to be 12
U/L as upper limit of normal, the mean value for HEV positive patients obtained was
13.8U/L while for those HBV positive was 10U/L. Conclusion: From the findings,
more emphasis should be placed on improving education of the populace. More research
should be carried out to determine what subtypes of the viruses are present
and their effects on the hepatic system using preferably non-invasive techniques. Also
the variability of hepatic enzymatic activity needs more analysis.