Anemia and Associated Factors among Adult HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in Public Health Facilities of Kembata Tembaro zone, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Anemia is one of the most commonly observed hematological abnormalities among HIV patients which results from the effects of HIV infection itself, opportunistic infections or as a consequence of therapeutic agents and it is an independent prognostic marker of HIV/AIDS disease progression. It is leading HIV patients to have impaired physical functioning, psychological distress, poor quality of life and shorter life expectancy. However, there is limited evidence on anemia and associated factors among HIV patients taking antiretroviral therapy in low-income countries like Ethiopia including the study area. Objectives: To assess the magnitude of anemia and associated factors among adult HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in public health facilities of Kembata Tembaro zone, southern Ethiopia, 2019 Methods: Health facility based cross sectional study was conducted on 401 adult people living with HIV attending antiretroviral therapy at five public health facilities of Kembata Tembaro Zone, from March, 01 to April, 01/2019. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data, anthropometric measurements were taken, drop of capillary blood was collected by micro-cuvette to determine hemoglobin level by HemoCue 301 analyzer. Clinical related data was collected from patient medical record by using structured checklist. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Bivariable and multivariable logistics regression analysis was done. Adjust odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated to measure the strength of association. Level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Result: - The magnitude of anemia was 26.2%, 95% CI: (21.7, 30.4). The mean hemoglobin level was 13.02 ±2SD with difference in male and female participants 13.8 ± 1.6SD among male and 12.45 ±2SD (P<0.001). Being female [AOR: 2.06, 95% CI: (1.02,4.16)], body mass index <18.5Kg/m2 [AOR=2.28, 95% CI: (1.09, 4.78)], Zidovudine use [AOR=3.71, 95% CI: (1.9,7.26)], having opportunistic infection [AOR=5.46, 95% CI: (1.67,17.7)] and WHO stage III&IV [AOR=5.71, 95% CI: (2.68,12.14)] were significantly associated with anemia. Conclusion: The magnitude of anemia was found to be moderate public health problem in the study area. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment of anemia is recommended for Zidovudine users, females, patients having body mass index < 18.5Kg/m2 , patients having opportunistic infection and patients having clinical WHO stage III & IV disease and also nutrition and health education will be very important for prevention and control of anemia