Sisay Getu*, Tegenaw Tiruneh, Henok Andualem, Wasihun Hailemichael, Misganaw Gebru, Demeke Mesfin, Alemayehu Digissie
Background: Anemia refers to a condition in which the hemoglobin content of the blood is lower than normal for person’s age, gender and environment, resulting in the oxygen carrying capacity of blood being reduced. It is found to be highly prevailing among adult HIV/AIDS patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending their follow up at Woreta health center, North Central Ethiopia (NCE).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December, 2020. A total of 230 participants were selected using simple random sampling technique. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaire whereas, venous blood sample was collected and analyzed by Sysmex KX-21 (Sysmex corporation, Kobe, Japan), and BD FACS for hemoglobin and CD4 determination respectively. Data then entered in to EPI info version 3.5.3 and transferred to and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, proportions, means and standard deviations were used to summarize the data. Logistic regression analysis was made to identify the factors associated with anemia. P-value ≤ 0.05 is considered statistically significant.
Result: A total of 230 participants were included in the study making the response rate 100%. Most of the respondents 120 (58.2%) were in the age group of 31 years to 45 years. The prevalence of anemia in the study area was 37.8%. Alcohol drinking, clinical stage, CD4 count and drug regimen were identified to be significantly associated with the anemia status of adult HIV/AIDS patients. The odds of having anemia were 2.1 times (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.0) higher than those patients who drank alcohol compared to those who didn’t drink alcohol. Whereas patients who had clinical stage III were 10.7 (AOR: 10.7, 95% CI: 1.8, 64.0) times more likely to have anemia than those who were on clinical stage I. The odds of anemia were 1.9 times (AOR:1.9, 95% CI:1.1,4.2) higher in those patients with CD4 count <200 was compared to those with above 500 CD4 count. Patients on AZT containing drug regimen were 11.3 times (AOR:11.3, 95% CI:2.4,54.4) more likelihood to have anemia than compared to TDF based ART regimen.