Unveiling Co-Infections: Hepatitis C Virus And Malaria Sero-Prevalence Among Outpatients Attending General Hospital Wukari In Taraba State, Nigeria

Malaria and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are significant public health challenges when they overlap geographic distributions. There is potential for co-infections and syndemism of both pathogens due to the rising incidence of the overlap between regions endemic for hepatitis C virus and malaria. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and malaria co-infection among outpatients attending General Hospital Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. A total of ۱۰۰ outpatients consisting of ۳۰ males and ۷۰ females within the age of ۱۱ to ۷۰ years were randomly recruited to the study. Rapid diagnostic test kits were used to screen for HCV and malaria among the outpatients. Of the ۱۰۰ outpatients screened, ۱۲ (۱۲%) were sero-positive for HCV while ۴(۴%) were sero-positive for Malaria. Of the ۱۲ HCV sero-positive patients, ۴ (۱۳.۳۳%) were male while ۸ (۱۱.۴۳%) were females. Furthermore, all malaria sero-positive patients were male. Likewise, malaria and HCV co-infection in this study was ۲%. Although low, the prevalence of HCV infection, malaria and HCV-malaria co-infection are worrisome especially in this area. Hence, patients should be encouraged to go for routine screening and know their infection status so as to prevent complications due to active infection.

Keywords:

Co-infection , Hepatitis C , Malaria , General hospital , Wukari