Abstract
Aim To establish whether anaemia is a predisposing factor to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods A total of 113 EDTA blood samples were analysed using FBE analyzer (Sysmex XT– 1800j) and examined microscopically. The HIV patient’s antiretroviral treatment (ART) history was noted. Epi Info and Microsoft Excel were used to analyse the data. Results Of 113 blood samples analysed, 67 (59%) were female and 46 (40.7%) male. According to most HIV studies, a haemoglobin (Hb) level of 10 g/dL is considered as the minimal range. Thirty-five (30.97%) appeared anaemic. The study also showed that 17 (48.6%) of the 35 registered to Heduru Clinic received ART regimen of either (a) d4T (30), 3TC, NVP;(b) d4T (30), 3TC, EFV;(c) ZDV, 3TC, EFV;or (d) ZDV, 3TC, NVP. Treatment (d) ZDV, 3TC, NVP, had the highest percentage of 29.4% while (23.5%) patients had treatment (b) d4T (30), 3TC, EFV. Morphologically microcytic hypochromic anaemia (48.6%) was common. Discussion Microcytic hypochromic anaemia (47.05%) was more common than macrocytic hypochromic anaemia (29.11%) and nornochromic normocytic anaemia (23.53%) and is suggestive of chronic blood loss and iron deficiency (late). The ART Zidovudine [(d) ZDV, 3TC, NVP] may have contributed to anaemia and should be regularly monitored and reviewed.
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