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BMC Infectious Diseases

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Hepatitis C | Research

Seroprevalence and risk factors of HBV, HCV and HIV among hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study from Damascus Syria

Authors: Jehan Altinawe, Muhammad Eid Akkawi, Nihad Kharrat Helu, Qusai Hassan, Abdul-Hakim Nattouf

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among hemodialysis (HD) patients as well as to identify associated risk factors.

Methodology

A multicenter cross-sectional study involved patients who had been on HD for at least three months. The study was conducted at five HD centers in Damascus, Syria from August 2019 to September 2021. HBsAg, HCV-Ab and HIV (antibody/antigen) seropositivity were identified using the third generation ELISA technique. Patients’ information was extracted from their records and by face-to-face interview. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to identify risk factors associated with HBV or HCV seropositivity. The significance level was set at 5%.

Results

A total of 637 patients were included in the study with a mean age (SD) of 50.5 (15.6) years and 56.7% of them were men. The dialytic age ranged from one to thirty years with a mean (SD) of 6.10 (5.6) years. The prevalence of positive hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV, co-infection of HBV and HCV, and anti-HIV (antibody/antigen) were 3.2%, 22.1%, 0.7%, and 0%, respectively. After controlling for co-variables, hepatitis B vaccine was the only predictor of seropositivity of HBV (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.057–0.393, P < 0.001), as it significantly protected against contracting HBV. On the other hand, the dialytic age (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12–1.94, P = 0.032) and the dialysis center were significant factors affecting the prevalence of HCV.

Conclusions

The prevalence of HCV and HBV infections among HD patients in Damascus, Syria has decreased remarkably compared with the results from 2001. Nevertheless, it is still considered relatively high. Thus, there is an urgent need to strengthen the prevention and control measures for viral infection transmission in HD centers in Damascus.

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Title: Seroprevalence and risk factors of HBV, HCV and HIV among hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study from Damascus Syria
Authors: Jehan Altinawe
Muhammad Eid Akkawi
Nihad Kharrat Helu
Qusai Hassan
Abdul-Hakim Nattouf
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Hepatitis C
Hepatitis B
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Chronic Kidney Disease
Hepatitis
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09177-4

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