Pattern of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viral Infections among Pterygium Patients in Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are avoidable diseases that have remained serious global health issues. This is because of serious morbidity and mortality that result from these diseases. Objectives: To determine the pattern of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among pterygium patients in Southeast Nigeria. Materials and Method: This was a retrospective cross sectional study of patients that underwent pterygium surgeries at City of Refuge specialist eye clinic in Onitsha, Nigeria, between March 2021 and February 2022. Case files of patients were retrieved, and relevant data like sociodemographics and HIV, HBV and HCV serostatus were collected. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 23.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Statistical significance was set at p˂0.05. Results: Data collected from 227 participants who met inclusion criteria were analyzed. The mean age of the participants was 54.1±13.63 years. The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV among pterygium patients was 0.44% (1/227, 95%CI=0.01-2.45), 1.76% (4/227, 95%CI=0.48-4.51) and 16.74% (38/227, 95%CI=11.85-22.98) respectively. The prevalence of HBV and HCV were not influenced by age or gender while the prevalence of HIV was influenced by age (p=0.002). Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV are high among pterygium patients in south-east Nigeria. Professional support regarding universal precautions and prevention approaches should be recommended among health care providers in ophthalmology practice.