Abstract:
Background: In individuals infected with HIV, hematological abnormalities are common and
are associated with increased risk of disease progression and death. However, the profile of
hematological abnormalities in HIV infected adult patients is not known in Jimma university
specialized hospital.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the hematological manifestations of HIV
infection and to identify the factors associated with cytopoenias in both HAART naïve and
HAART patients at JUSH ART follow-up clinic.
Method: A cross-sectional hospital based survey was conducted from July to August 2012 on
361 HAART and HAART naïve HIV infected adult patients. Patients from each category were
included in the study consecutively until a quota proportionate to the size for each category was
obtained. Data were coded, entered, cleared and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive,
bivariate and multivariate analyses were done. Statistical significance was declared at p<0.05
with 95%CI.
RESULT : The prevalence of anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and lymphopoenia among
the study individuals were 51.5%, 13%, 11.1% and 5% respectively. In multivariate logistic
regression analysis presence of opportunistic infection (AOR 5.72, 95% CI 2.05-15.97;
p=0.001), use of CPT (AOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.02-2.67; p=0.04) and CD4 count <200 cells/µl
(AOR 3.34, 95% CI 1.57-7.1; p=0.002) were associated with an increased risk of anemia. And
CD4 count <200 cells/µl (AOR 3.34, 95% CI 1.59-7.02; p=0.001) and use of CPT (AOR 2.34,
95%CI 1.05-5.19; p=0.036) were associated with an increased risk of leucopenia.
CONCLUSION: Hematologic abnormalities were common in HIV infected adult patients. Of
the cytopoenias anemia was the most common. Use of CPT was independently associated with
increased risk of anemia and leucopenia. Therefore, large scale and longitudinal studies; giving
emphasis on association of CPT and cytopoenia; are recommended to strengthen and explore the
problem in depth.
