Usefulness of Simultaneous Screening for HIV- and Hepatitis C–Specific Antibodies and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen by Capillary-Based Multiplex Immunochromatographic Rapid Test to Strengthen Prevention Strategies and Linkage to Care in Childbearing-Aged Women Living in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract

Childbearing-aged women (n = 266) attending a gynecological clinic in Chad were subjected to multiplex immunochromatographic rapid test for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ten (3.7%) and 8 (3.0%) were seropositive for HIV and HCV, respectively, and 20 (7.5%) for HBV surface antigen, allowing diagnosis of chronic viral infections in 1 of 7 (14.3%) women.