HIV and Hepatitis Infections in Children Resident in Orphanage Homes Located In Anambra State, Nigeria

Oluboyo, B.O and Enweani, I.B and Ekejindu, I.M and Oluboyo, A.O (2014) HIV and Hepatitis Infections in Children Resident in Orphanage Homes Located In Anambra State, Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science, 3 (5). pp. 1-4. ISSN (Online) 2320–1959, (Print) 2320–1940

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Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis infections are among viral infections transmissible among inmates of orphanage and motherless babies’ homes. Records are scanty on the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis infections in children resident in orphanage homes in Anambra State, Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis infections in children resident in eight orphanages in Anambra State. A total of 300 subjects consisting of 172 orphans, 100 children from community setting serving as controls, 14 female consented care givers in the orphanages and 14 females in community setting served as controls. All the subjects and control groups were investigated for HIV using rapid test and molecular technique. ELISA assay and liver enzyme estimation were used for Hepatitis investigation. The prevalence of 0.6%, 0.0%, 0.6%, and 9.9% were observed in HIV, hepatitis A, B and C respectively. Liver enzymes (serum alanine and aspartate amino transferases) did not show significant increase. The viral load and CD4+ count of the HIV positive child were 373 copies/ml and 28% respectively. Three (21.4%) of the care givers in the orphanages tested positive to HCV infection while none of the females in the community tested positive to the virus. HCV infections were most common in ages 0-5 years. The infection may be at dormant phase in the homes. Thus, continuous monitoring for progression into active hepatitis C infection is necessary for disease management in the orphanage homes.

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