Full Download HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection among voluntary counselling and testing subjects at a regional hospital in Cameroon - Nsagha, DS; Njunda, AL; Kamga, HLF; Assob, JCN; Bongkem, EA | PDF Online

Makerere University Medical School (Uganda) 2013-01-15 Genre/Form: info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionPeer-reviewed Article Material Type: Internet resource Document Type: Internet Resource, Archival Material All Authors / Contributors: Nsagha, DS; Njunda, AL; Kamga, HLF; Assob, JCN; Bongkem, EA OCLC Number: 837658683 Language Note: English Notes: application/pdf Abstract: Background: HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Cameroon which had a prevalence of 5.1% in 2010 with 141 new infections per day. The fear of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is an obstacle to HIV prevention.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection among people attending a health facility for VCT.Methods: Venous blood was collected from participants using aseptic techniques in a descriptive observational crosssectional study. DETERMINE HIV-1/2 and SD BIOLINE HIV-1/2 3.0 qualitative tests were used for the detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in their sera. Range and consistency checks were carried out on the data and analysed using Epi-Info. Results: Of 290 individuals tested, 78(26.9%) were positive for HIV-1 and HIV-2. Among the 78 HIV positive individuals, 62 (79.5%) had HIV-1, 1(1.3%) had HIV-2 and 15(19.2%) had concurrent HIV-1/ HIV-2. Among those infected, 57(73.1%) were females including 21(26.9%) males.Conclusion: HIV-1 is the major cause of AIDS and VCT is well accepted. Co-infection with HIV-1/HIV-2 may lead to anti-retroviral drug resistance. VCT should be encouraged so that positive cases can initiate therapy on time to stay ahead of anti-retroviral drug resistance.Keywords: HIV-1, HIV-2, HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infection, AIDS, sero-prevalence, voluntary counselling and testing; Cameroon