Prevalence of Malaria and Hepatitis B Co-infection Among Patients Attending a Hospital in a Malaria-Endemic Region of Southwestern Nigeria

Background and Objective: Malaria and hepatitis B remain highly prevalent infectious diseases in many developing nations, particularly in Nigeria, where they continue to pose significant public health challenges. This study evaluated the prevalence of malaria and hepatitis B Co-infection among patients visiting a health facility in Southwest region of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total number of two hundred and ten (210) patients visiting the BHC, Orita-Obele, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria was enrolled during the study. Blood samples were obtained through venipuncture from all age group of patients and examined for malaria and hepatitis B infections using Malaria Plasmodium falciparum antigen detection kit (CareStart^TM Malaria Pf [HRP2] Ag RDT) and HBV surface antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test kit (Prime rapid test kit) respectively. Demographic information of each patient was obtained and recorded while data obtained were analyzed to test for significance using Pearson’s Chi-Square at p = 0.05. Results: Of the total number 210 (male: 72, female: 138) patients examined for malaria and hepatitis B co-infection, 3 (1.4%) of the patients were tested to be co-infected with the two infections while equal prevalence (1.4%) of co-infection was a mong two sexes with no significant difference (p = 0.972). Prevalence of co-infection of malaria and hepatitis B was recorded among age groups 11-20, 31-40 and 51-60 only at varying degrees with no significance (p = 0.231). Also, there was no significant difference in the pattern of distribution of the two infections as regards the participants educational level (p = 0.839) and monthly income (p = 0.212). However, there was significance (p = 0.002) in the prevalence of co-infection of malaria and hepatitis B as regards the occupation of the participants with the farmers (25.0%) recording the highest prevalence. Conclusion: Presence of coexistence of malaria and hepatitis B infections among the studied population though at low prevalence will pose a serious public health problem in the study area if not properly managed. Therefore, there is a need for intervention to abate the spread of these diseases.