Anemia and Associated Factors Among Adults with Human Immune Deficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy in Public Health Facilities of Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Anemia is an independent prognostic marker of HIV/AIDS disease progression. It causes impaired physical functioning, psychological distress, poor quality-of-life, and reduces life expectancy in HIV patients. However, there is limited information in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was 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.

Methods: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study. A total of 401 HIV patients attending antiretroviral therapy nested in five health facilities were included in the analysis. Simple random sampling was employed using medical record number to select study units. Data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements were taken, and a drop of capillary blood was collected to determine hemoglobin level by HemoCue 301 analyzer. Clinical related data were collected from patient medical records by using a structured checklist. The collected data were coded and entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with anemia and statistical tests were declared significant at a P-value<0.05.

Results: The magnitude of anemia among adults HIV patients attending ART was 26.2%, 95% CI=21.7-30.4. Being female (AOR=2.06, 95% CI=1.02-4.16), body mass index <18.5 Kg/m² (AOR=2.28, 95% CI=1.09-4.78), Zidovudine use (AOR=3.71, 95% CI=1.9-7.26), having had an opportunistic infection (AOR=5.46, 95% CI=1.67-17.7), and WHO stage III or IV (AOR=5.71, 95% C=2.68-12.14) were significantly associated with the occurrence of anemia.

Conclusion: Anemia was found to be a moderate public health problem among ART attendants in the current study area. Thus, early detection and intervention targeting Zidovudine users, females, patients having body mass index <18.5 Kg/m², patients having opportunistic infections, and patients having clinical WHO stage III or IV disease is vital to reduce the magnitude of anemia and its consequences.