HIV-Hypertension Comorbidity, Associated Factors and Treatment Option Among HIV Patients Attending Katsina General Hospital, Katsina State Nigeria

Abstract

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are facing an increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) comorbidity. There is however, paucity of information on the magnitude of HIV-hypertension comorbidity, its associated factors, and how the health system responds to the burden in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of comorbidity HIV and hypertension and associated factors among HIV-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Katsina General Hospital, Katsina. Two hundred (200) HIV infected adults (aged ≥ 18) who had been on antiretroviral therapy for at least six months Katsina General Hospital, Katsina were recruited. Participants’ demographics, HIV characteristics, the presence of non-communicable diseases via self-report, from clinic folders and from measurement of their blood pressure on the day of interview and serum lipid profile, were evaluated. The magnitude of HIV and hypertension comorbidity was 28.5%. Old age, higher BMI, higher viral load, alcohol and duration on antiretroviral therapy were found to be factors associated with development of hypertension among HIV-positive adults. The prevalence of hypertension measured on the day of interview was greater than that found on self-report or reported in the clinic folder. Regular screening for the incidences of hypertension, addressing modifiable risk factors, and providing integrated care in the center would help improve the quality of life of comorbid patients.