Epidemiological profiles of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infections in Malian women: risk factors and relevance of disparities

AIM: To document the epidemiologic patterns and risk
factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and
hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Mali in order to
develop prevention means for both diseases.
METHODS: Two prospective studies were conducted
in Bamako in 2009 among 1000 pregnant women (i.e. ,
young women) who consulted six reference health
centers, and in 2010, among 231 older women who
attended general practice in two hospitals. Antibody
tests and molecular analysis (performed only for HCV)
were used to quantify the frequencies of both infections.
The data were collected from patients recruited
through a questionnaire. Transmission risk factors of
both diseases were identified by univariate and multivariate
analysis.
RESULTS: HCV seroprevalence was 0.2% for young
and 6.5% for older women. HIV prevalence was similar
in both populations (4.1% vs 6.1%). In older women,
the analysis of risk factors highlighted an association
between HCV infection and episodes of hospitalization
(P < 0.01). The study did not show an association
between HIV infection and the variables such as hospitalization,
transfusion, tattoo, dental care, and endoscopy.
A significant decrease of HIV seroprevalence
was detected in young women who used condoms for
contraception more than for other purposes (P < 0.01).
By contrast, HIV seroprevalence was significantly increased
in young women using condoms mainly to
prevent sexual infections rather than for contraception
(P < 0.01). No HCV/HIV coinfection was detected in
our study.
CONCLUSION: Risk factors and epidemiologic data
of HIV and HCV as well as the absence of co-infection
strongly suggest epidemiological disparities between
these diseases.