Abstract:
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its treatment cause a range of hematological
abnormalities. Anemia is one of the commonly observed hematologic manifestations in HIV positive persons and it has
multifactorial origin.
Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of anemia in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)
naı ¨ve and HAART experienced HIV positive persons.
Methods: A facility-based comparative cross sectional study was conducted in Jimma University Specialized Hospital from
February 1 to March 30, 2012. A total of 234 HIV positive persons, 117 HAART naı ¨ve and 117 HAART experienced, were
enrolled in this study. Blood and stool specimens were collected from each participant. Blood specimens were examined for
complete blood count, CD4 count and blood film for malaria hemoparasite; whereas stool specimens were checked for ova
of intestinal parasites. Socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data of the participants were collected using pretested questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the data (Chi-square, student’s t-test, logistic regression) was done using SPSS V-
16.
Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 23.1%. The prevalence of anemia in HAART naı ¨ve and HAART experienced
persons was 29.9% and 16.2%, respectively (P = 0.014). Presence of opportunistic infections (P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.69–15.46),
CD4 count ,200 cells/ml (P = 0.001, 95% CI = 2.57–36.89) and rural residence (P = 0.03, 95% CI = 1.12–10.39) were found to be
predictors of anemia for HAART naı ¨ve participants. On the other hand, HAART regimen (ZDV/3TC/NVP) (P = 0.019, 95%
CI = 0.01–1.24) and the duration of HAART (P = 0.007, 95% CI = 0.003–0.40.24) were found to be predictors of anemia for
HAART experienced groups.
Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in HAART naı ¨ve persons was higher than HAART experienced persons. Risk factors for
anemia in HAART naı ¨ve and HAART experienced HIV positive persons were different. Hence, there is a need for longitudinal
study to further explore the causes of HIV associated anemia and the pattern of hemoglobin changes with initiation of
HAART.
