Available online at www.ijmrhs.com I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f M e d i c a l R e s e a r c h & H e a l t h S c i e n c e s • I J M R H S • International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 2020, 9(3): 8-17 8 ISSN No: 2319-5886 ABSTRACT Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are major global health problems with common modes of transmission. Objective: To determine the prevalence, demographic characteristics, risk factors and liver dysfunction among antenatal women with HIV and HBV co-infection. Methodology: A cross- sectional study of 586 pregnant women. Socio-demographic data were collected and blood samples were collected and tested for HBsAg and HIV infection. The liver function test was conducted on those who tested positive to HBV alone and have HIV/HBV co-infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 statistical program. Result: The prevalence of patients with HIV and HBV co-infection was 0.3%. They are single and in the age group of 21-24. The mean value of total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin of the patients with HBV/HIV co-infection were significantly higher (p=0.037) than in those with hepatitis B virus infection alone. Conclusion: The study showed low HIV/HBV co-infection amongst antenatal women and confirmed the assertion that co-infection leads to significant impaired liver function. This should be kept very low or eradicated to reduce devastating complications of HIV/HBV co-infection. Keywords: HIV, Hepatitis B, HIV-HBV co-infection, Antenatal, Liver function test Human Immunodeficiency and Hepatitis B Viral Co-infection in Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria Charles Njoku 1,2 , Anthony Umego 2 , Henry Okpara 3 and Amarachukwu Njoku 2 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calabar, Nigeria 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria 3 Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria *Corresponding e-mail: njokucharlesobinna@gmail.com INTRODUCTION A person who is infected with both the hepatitis B and Human immunodeficiency viruses is said to have HBV/HIV co-infection. It has been observed that this condition leads to increased morbidity and mortality as compared to HIV or HBV mono-infections [1]. HBV and HIV have similar characteristics such as transmission modes; using a reverse transcriptase enzyme in replication and the tendency to develop chronic infections, which are often difficult to treat. Both virus, have an immense capacity of mutation in their genome, causing rapid emergence of mutant strains, some of which are resistant to widely used anti-viral agents [1]. They are transmitted by exposure to infected blood or body fluid, unprotected sexual contacts, blood transfusion and vertically from mother to child [2]. HBV infection can induce a wide spectrum of clinical features, ranging from an inactive carrier state to fulminant hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [3,4]. Studies showed an increase in the incidence of prematurity, low Apgar scores, higher risk of intra-ventricular hemorrhage among newborns of HBsAg carrier [3,4]. Also, intrapar- tum and post-partum hemorrhage is higher due to coagulation failure from lack of production of vitamin k-dependent clotting factors, especially if the prothrombin time is prolonged as in hepatic failure from chronic hepatitis B viral infection [4]. Health care workers are also at risk of infection [3]. Complications of HIV in pregnancy include higher rates of spontaneous abortions, low birth weight, poor Apgar scores and intrauterine growth restriction [5]. Others are malaria, abruptio placentae, bacterial pneumonia, urinary tract infection, vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS, prema- ture delivery and other opportunistic infections [6].