Abstract:
Background: Hematological abnormalities are common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
positive individuals and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. It is stated in different
literatures that the prevalence of hematological abnormalities due to HIV before highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation is more prevalent than after HAART initiation.
However, there is limited data on the profiles of hematological abnormalities in HIV positive
adult individuals in Southeast Ethiopia.
Objective: This study was aimed to determine the hematological profiles and associated factors
among adult HIV positive individuals before and on highly active antiretroviral treatment at
Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Southeast Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted involving adult HIV positive
individuals from April 1 to June 30, 2018 at Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital.
A total of 308 HIV positive adult individuals were included in this study. Data on
socio-demographic characteristics and clinical data of the study subjects were collected using
structured questionnaire. Hematological and immunological parameters were measured. Stool
examination for intestinal parasites and blood film for hemoparasites were done. Data were
entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS V-20.0 statistical software. P- Values<0.05
were considered as statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia was 31.8%, 18.2% and
11.4% before HAART while 14.6%, 24% and 4.5% in HIV positive individuals on HAART,
respectively. There were significant differences between on mean values of RBC, Hgb, Hct,
MCV, MCH, RDW, TLC, PLT and CD4+counts between pre-HAART and on HAART. CD4
count<200cells/µl (AOR=4.2, 95% CI :( 1.4-4.8) was the only independent risk factor of anemia
and leukopenia in HIV positive individuals before HAART. WHO clinical stage IV (AOR=2.4,
95% CI :( 1.4-4.8), female (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.3-4.8), HAART regimen (ZDV, 3TC, NVP
(AOR=3.2, 95% CI :( 2.2-7.5) and having intestinal parasites infection (AOR=2.5, 95%
CI :( 1.1-7.4) were found to be significant predictors of anemia on HAART HIV positive
individuals.
Conclusion: There was a decline in the prevalence of anemia and thrombocytopenia among HIV
positive individuals after ART initiation. There was differences prevalence of hematological
abnormalities between HIV positive individuals before and on HAART. Hematological
abnormalities in HIV positive individuals before and on HAART had different risk factors.
Therefore, regular follow-up are necessary to prevent hematological abnormalities.
