Abstract
Introduction. Anemia is one of the most commonly observed hematological abnormalities and an independent poor prognostic marker of HIV disease. The rate of progression and mortality in this subgroup of patients is high compared to nonanemic patients. WHO estimates that over two billion people are anemic worldwide and young children bear the world's highest prevalence rate of anemia. In Ethiopia, there is limited information about the determinant factors associated with anemia among HIV positive children. Thus, this study aimed to determine the determinant factors of anemia among HIV-infected children on HAART. Objective The main purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of anemia among children on highly active antiretroviral therapy attending hospitals of North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 350 HIV-infected children on HAART attending Hospitals of North Wollo Zone, from February 1 to March 30, 2019. The study participants were selected with a consecutive sampling technique. An adapted, interviewer-administered, and pretested questionnaire and chart review were employed to collect the data. Besides, blood and stool samples were investigated to determine hematologic indices and malaria and to investigate intestinal parasites, respectively. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS version 24 statistical software and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors. Results A total of 350 HIV positive children (117 cases and 234 controls) were included in this study with an overall response rate of 100%. On multivariate analysis, variables which have spastically significant association with anemia were as follows: had amebiasis (AOR = 7.29, 1.22–43.56), had history of opportunistic infections (AOR = 9.63, 1.94–47.85), had malaria infection (malaria pf) (AOR = 4.37, 1.16–16.42), eating nondiversified food (AOR = 10.39, 2.25–48.0), WGT-Age Z score value between −2_−3 (AOR = 9.80, 2.46–39.14), level of adherence (AOR = 2.31, 1.92, 7.77), and being from a rural area (AOR = 8.8, 2.07–37.79). Conclusion In this study, having parasitic infections, having a history of opportunistic infections, being malnourished, having poor adherence to ART, caregivers living in the rural area, and eating nondiversified foods were significantly associated with hemoglobin status. Therefore, intervention aimed at prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of anemia is essential in these patients.
Highlights
Anemia is one of the most commonly observed hematological abnormalities and an independent poor prognostic marker of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. e rate of progression and mortality in this subgroup of patients is high compared to nonanemic patients
Knowing the determinants of anemia among HIV/ AIDS positive children on HAART through the case-control study will help to screen and manage anemia according to its cause. erefore, the main aim of this study is to assess the determinant factors of anemia among HIV-positive children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) attending hospitals of North Wollo Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2019
According to the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this zone has a total population of 1,500,303, of whom 752,895 are men and 747,408 women. e largest ethnic group, language spoken, and religion followed in this area is Amhara (99.38%), Amharic language (99.28%), and Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity (82.74%), respectively
Summary
Anemia is one of the most commonly observed hematological abnormalities and an independent poor prognostic marker of HIV disease. e rate of progression and mortality in this subgroup of patients is high compared to nonanemic patients. In Ethiopia, there is limited information about the determinant factors associated with anemia among HIV positive children. Us, this study aimed to determine the determinant factors of anemia among HIV-infected children on HAART. A case-control study was conducted on 350 HIV-infected children on HAART attending Hospitals of North Wollo Zone, from February 1 to March 30, 2019. A total of 350 HIV positive children (117 cases and 234 controls) were included in this study with an overall response rate of 100%. In this study, having parasitic infections, having a history of opportunistic infections, being malnourished, having poor adherence to ART, caregivers living in the rural area, and eating nondiversified foods were significantly associated with hemoglobin status. Packed cell volume (PCV) of less than 33.0% is regarded as anemia by the World Health Organization [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
