Abstract:
Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and treatments given to HIV patients to reduce
complications and fast disease progression, cause a series of hematological abnormalities. Anemia
is among hematologic manifestations commonly observed in HIV-positive persons on treatments,
initiated by multiple factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia and associated
factors among patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at Mizan-Tepi University
Teaching Hospital from June to September 2021.
Material and methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2021
among
HIV-positive
patients
on
treatment
at
Mizan-Tepi
University
Teaching
Hospital.
Participants
were
selected
with
a
convenient sampling technique, and pre-tested structured questionnaires
were
used
for
gathering
important
both
socio-demographic
and
clinical
data.
Blood
samples
were
collected
for
hemoglobin
determination
and CD4+
cell
count.
Data
were
entered
using
Epi-data
manager
and
analyzed
using
a statistical
package
for
social
sciences.
Results:
A total
of 159 HIV/AIDS
patients
were
included in
the study.
The overall
prevalence
of anemia
was
observed
in
51
(32.1%)
patients,
out
of which
20
(12.6%
%)
were
males
and
31
(19.5%)
were
females.
Moreover,
female
subjects
(AOR = 7.379; 95% CI: 2.369-22.985%),
patients
on
HAART
for ≤ 6
months
(AOR = 6.065; 95% CI: 2.425-15.170%),
and
those
with
body
mass
index
of < 18.5
kg/m
2
(AOR = 5.283;
95% CI: 1.312-21.267%) were factors showing statistically significant association with anemia.
Conclusions: A high prevalence of anemia was observed among patients on antiretroviral treatment.
Routine screening and strict follow-up of patients on treatment are needed.
