Adopting Policies to Integrate Hepatitis-B Virus Prevention into HIV Services: Before it is Too Late for Nigeria

Nigeria in the last few years succeeded in reversing HIV incidence and HIV-related deaths. This was attributed to the multi-sector response and the strengthening of maternal and child health system to specifically meet the needs of HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Despite epidemiological similarities of hepatitis B and HIV infections, hepatitis B incidence and mortalities were on the increase. An estimated 95% of individuals with viral hepatitis were unaware of their infection and so did not benefit from clinical care, treatment, and interventions that are designed to reduced transmission. We suggest that hepatitis B endemic settings adopt best practices that integrate hepatitis B prevention into HIV services at all levels of health care to reduce new infection.