Prevalence of anemia before and after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive patients in Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated anemia is common and it is a challenge for prognosis of HIV positive patients. It is stated in different literature that the prevalence of anemia due to HIV before highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation is more prevalent than after HAART initiation. Thus this study aimed to assess anemia prevalence before and after initiation of HAART among HIV patients attending university of Gondar hospital from 2008 – 2013. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by collecting data from antiretroviral clinic of University of Gondar Hospital from January 1, 2008 to December 30, 2013. Data was collected by using data collection sheet which contains age, sex, regimen type, hematological parameters and CD4 cell count. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. In order to compare means paired t-test was used. P- Value <0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Prevalence of anemia before and after HAART initiation was 21.2% and 11.5% respectively. There is a significance difference in CD4 cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit values on patients before and after HAART initiation (P <0.001). Opportunistic infection and CD4 cell count were associated with prevalence of anemia before HAART initiation. CONCLUSION: There was a decline in the prevalence of anemia and increment of mean CD4 cell count among HIV infected patients after HAART initiation. HIV patients are recommended checking up their CD4 cell counts regularly and starting HAART when it is appropriate with regular follow-up.