Occurrence of human African trypanosomosis among HIV patients in Ankpa General Hospital, Kogi State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Human African trypanosomosis is a vector borne parasitic disease transmitted by tsetse flies.T.b. gambiense infection decreasesthespecificityofantibodydetectiontestforHIVdiagnosis and symptoms of HAT are not sufficient to make a diagnosis. This study was therefore designed to investigate the occurrence of Human African trypanosomosis among Human Immuno deficiency virus patients in Ankpa General Hospital, Kogi State. Methods & Materials: Blood samples were collected between August and December 2011. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Kogi State Ministry of Health. 465 blood samples were collected from HIV patients at the Hospital after their consent was sought. Subjects were selected using systematic random sampling and information on the age,sex,and occupation of the HIV patients were obtained. Blood samples were screened serologically using the card agglutination test for t.b. gambiense (CATT) and parasitologically using the wet mount and HCT. Results: The overall seroprevalence of HAT in Ankpa general hospital among HIV patients was 3.01% (14/465). Seroprevalence among females and males were 3.60% (12/333) and 1.52% (2/132)respectively. There was no significant association(p>0.05) between infection and sex. There was a seroprevalence of 3.63% (12/330)and 2.04%(2/98)among the agegroups of 18-45 years and above 45 years res pectively which were not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the infection and occupation and farmers had the highest seroprevalence of 5.00%(10/200).Blood samples that were seropositive were further subjected to parasitological technique for confirmation and came out negative. Questionnaire survey showed 79.35% (369/465)had heard of HAT with school 32.25%(119/369)and tales told or myth 67.75% (250/369) as the media. It also showed a significant association (p<0.05) between education, age, occupation and awareness to HAT. Despite the respondents claims of having heard of HAT, their knowledge on the transmission, causal factor, prevention, treatment and control was inadequate. Conclusion: This study has established a serological evidence of HAT among HIV patients in Ankpa general Hospital, Kogi State. Increased surveillance of HAT among HIV patients and public awareness campaign on HAT is recommended.