TITLE:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anemia among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Followed at the Outpatient Treatment Centre of Panzi General Referral Hospital in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Marlene Abedi Zalufa, Jean-Paulin Mbo Mukonkole, Aline Byabene Kusinza, Nicolas Vignier, Dieudonné Bihehe Masemo, David Willy Shamputi, Omari Mukanga Lampard, Marie Hatem
KEYWORDS:
Anemia, HIV/AIDS, Undernutrition, PANZI Hospital
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.12 No.3,
March
22,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Anemia in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) is a major health problem. Although anemia often responds to combination antiretroviral therapy, many patients remain anemic despite treatment, and such persistent anemia continues to adversely affect prognosis, regardless of drug response. Scientists have identified some of the factors involved. However, the mechanisms put in place have not been effective in overcoming them. Examples include the withdrawal of zidovudine from antiretroviral treatment lines, iron and folate supplementation, etc. Anemia is still a major concern in HIV-positive patients. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among PLHIV followed up at the outpatient treatment centre (CTA) of the Panzi General Reference Hospital (HGR) in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Method: We conducted a cross-sectional, comparative study of 276 HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy (ART) followed up at the CTA of Panzi HGR. Socio-demographic and nutritional parameters were collected using a survey questionnaire, and clinical assessment and nutritional status were performed at the centre. Hemoglobin, seric albumin and viral load determinations were performed at the HGRP laboratory. We constructed univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to assess factors associated with anemia in people living with HIV/AIDS. Results: We found a prevalence of anemia of 39.4%, including 4.1% severe anemia, 17.7% moderate anemia and 17.5% mild anemia. After multivariate adjustment, the factors associated with anemia in our PLHIV were: moderate undernutrition (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.50 - 4.20; p = 0.001), severe undernutrition (aOR = 115.4; 95% CI: 2.04 - 164.52; p = 0.021), hypoalbuminemia (aOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.87 - 5.10; p = 0.004) and the lower degree of dietary diversity (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.10 - 4.32; p = 0.034). Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia in PLHIV on ART is high. This greatly affects quality of life and increases the need for care. Early detection tools and management algorithms are essential in the follow-up of PLWHIV.