Abstract:
Background: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-born disease that is caused by an
obligate intra-cellular protozoan parasite. Among parasitic diseases Leishmaniasis is
the second deadly parasitic disease next to malaria. Ethiopia is one of the six countries
in which more than 90% of global VL cases occur. Knowing the recent prevalence and
associated factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co infection will help in the control of
the disease.
Objective: To assess Visceral Leishmaniasis - human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co
infection and associated factors among adult Visceral Leishmaniasis patients admitted
at University of Gondar hospital, Gondar town, North West Ethiopia.
Methodology: A cross sectional retrospective review study was conducted on all (465)
patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis who had been admitted at University of Gondar
hospital from September 11, 2011 to June 30, 2013. Descriptive statistics like
Frequency tables, charts, mean with standard deviation and percentages were used to
present and summarize most of the variables. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic
regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with Visceral Leishmaniasis
- HIV co infection.
Result: Out of the total study subjects 55 (11.8%) were Visceral Leishmaniasis -HIV coinfected
patients. Age 28-37 years [AOR= 9.56; 95% CI: 4.10-22.31], >37 years [AOR=
4.16; 95% CI: 1.32-13.06]) and type of residence (AOR=4.88, 95% CI 2.59-9.20) were
found to be significantly associated with VL-HIV co infection.
Conclusion and recommendation: Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co infection
prevalence was found to be lower than the other studies. Age and type of residence
were variables found to be significantly associated with Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co
infection. Ministry of health and other None Governmental organizations (NGOs) should
implement intervention strategies to reduce further the Visceral Leishmaniasis-HIV co
infection rate as a whole and particularly among the resident population of VL endemic
area.
