Serum Zinc Deficiency and Associated Factors among Pre-ART and on-ART Adults at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Among several trace elements, zinc is a micronutrient that has a very significant role in maintaining immune function. Studies investigating trace elements status in people living with HIV/AIDS are few in Ethiopia. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate the concentration of serum zinc among sex and age matched pre ART and on ART adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 people living with HIV/AIDS (75 pre -ART and 75 on -ART) adults. Concentrations of zinc from serum were measured using fully automated flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. CD4+ T-cell count, CD8+ T-cell count, hemoglobin determination, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were performed to evaluate the clinical status of study participants. Results: Serum zinc deficiencies were observed in 46 (30.7%) study participants. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, pre-ART study participants were nearly four times more likely at risk of serum zinc deficiency than on-ART study participants (AOR=3.56, 95% CI=1.52 to 8.32). Similarly, the odds of being serum zinc deficient were three times more in undernourished study participants than nourished study participants (AOR=2.61, 95% CI=1.02 to 6.67). Conclusion: A relatively high percentage of study participants had serum zinc deficiency. Early evaluation of serum zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation along with anti-retroviral treatment should be considered for pre-ART and under nourished adult people living with HIV/AIDS.