Okonko IO, Mbabie F, Anah EJ* HBV and HIV Co-infections among Pregnant Women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria Okonko IO, Mbabie F, Anah EJ* Medical Microbiology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria E-mail: iheanyi.okonko@uniport.edu.ng; jennyianah@gmail.com; +2348035380891; +2348126516550 INTRODUCTION RESULTS CONT.D Pregnant women with tertiary education and secondary levels of education had the highest prevalence rate of 51.1% (n=24) and 48.4% (n=15) respectively. A lower rate was observed for the pregnant women that had attained a post-secondary and primary level of education with the rate values of 40.0% (n=4) and 0.0% (n=0) [Fig. 3]. As stratified based on gestation period, pregnant women in their second trimester had the highest rate value of 55.6% (n=25) and is followed by those in the first trimester with a slightly different prevalence rate of 53.8% (n=7). However, the third trimester group showed a lower rate value of 35.5% (n=11) [Fig. 4]. In Nigeria, a country where HBV and HIV prevalence is high, HBV dual infections occur in 10% to 70% of HIV-infected individuals. Previous studies have suggested that HIV-HBV and HIV-HCV dual infected patients have blunted immune response to ART compared with those with HIV infection alone. AIM Fig 3: Education-related HBV/HIV dual infection This study was therefore carried out to estimate the prevalence of HIV and HBV dual infections among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. METHOD A total of 91 consented HIV- positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), Port Harcourt was used for this study. Five milliliters of whole blood was collected and tested for the presence of HBsAg using a fourth generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Appropriate questionnaires were used to ascertain other important information. Fig 4: Gestation-related HBV/HIV dual infection CONCLUSION RESULTS Fig. 1: Age- related HBV/HIV dual infection Dual infection with HBV is relatively common among HIV-infected pregnant women in Nigeria and should be a big consideration in the initiation and choice of therapy. Development of effective interventions, including behavioral change, expansion of perinatal HBV/HIV prevention services and STI control, should be given the highest priority. The overall prevalence was found to be 48.3% (n=43). Seropositivity of HIV- HBV dual infection was lower for age group 20-30 years [46.9% (n=23)] as a higher rate of [52.6% (n=20)] was observed among age groups 31-40 years although the age group 41 & above recorded the lowest rate of 0.0% (n=0) [Fig.1]. Married pregnant women had a higher rate of 48.9% (n=43) when compared with their single counterparts 48.9% (n=43) [Fig. 2]. REFERENCES Forbi JC, et al. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 2005; 102(4): 535-537 Fig 2: Marital status-related HBV/HIV dual infection