Abstract:
Objective: Anemia is the most common hematological complication of HIV infection that has a significant impact
on the quality of life and clinical outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of anemia among adult HIV positive patients on Anti-retroviral therapy at Deber Tabor hospital, northwest Ethiopia. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 365 HIV/AIDS patients on ART selected
using the systematic random sampling technique. Blood samples were analyzed using the Cell-DYN 1800 automated
hematology analyzer to measure hemoglobin. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyzes were
employed to find the predictors at p-value < 0 .2 and 0.05, respectively.
Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 34.0%[95% CI (29.0, 39.0)]; taking Zidovudine based antiretroviral regimen (AOR: 5.9, 95% CI 1.04, 13.86), CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (AOR: 4.8 95%, CI 1.14, 12.42), inability to read and write
(AOR: 3.2, 95% CI (1.24,8.40), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.15, 4.26), and female sex (AOR: 1.9, 95% CI
1.06, 3.69) were significantly associated with increased odds of anemia. Therefore, routine screening of hemoglobin
level, proper treatment of respondents on zidovudine based ART regimen and increasing productivity to improve
dietary diversity are essential to prevent anemia.
