Prevalence and Associated Clinical Factors with Hepatitis B, C, and HIV Infections among Sickle Cell Disease Patients: Evidence from a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent genetic disorder in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria bearing the highest burden. The chronic nature of SCD necessitates frequent medical interventions, including blood transfusions, which heighten the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections like hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite regional data on HBV prevalence among SCD patients in Nigeria, there is limited information from northern regions such as Zaria. The study assessed the prevalence of hepatitis B and C, and HIV, and also assessed its association with clinical variables including blood transfusion, bone pain crises, and hospitalization among SCD patients in Zaria. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary health facility in Zaria. Atotal of 311 SCD patients were enrolled across paediatric, adolescent, and adult age groups. Clinical and demographic data were obtained through structured questionnaires and medical records. Serum samples were screened for HBsAg, HCV and HIV antibodies using rapid diagnostic kits. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v25, with significance set at p < 0.05. The median age of participants was 17 years; 65% were female, and 92.9% had HbSS genotype. Only 269 participants submitted samples for screening for HBsAg (5/269 were positive), although the sample size is 311, while all participants tested negative for HCV and HIV. No statistically significant associations were found between HBsAg status and history of blood transfusion (OR: 1.186; p = 0.593), frequency of bone pain crises (OR: 0.977; p = 0.355), or hospitalization (OR: 1.190; p = 0.608). In conclusion, the low HBsAg prevalence and absence of HCV and HIV seropositivity among SCD patients in Zaria may suggest improvements in transfusion safety, vaccination uptake, and infection control. Continued surveillance, enhanced preventive strategies are recommended to sustain these gains.