Prevalence and Predictors of Neurocognitive Impairment in Ethiopian Population Living with HIV

BACKGROUND: Modern antiretroviral therapy has extended the life expectancies of people living with HIV; however, the prevention and treatment of their associated neurocognitive decline have remained a challenge. Consequently, it is desirable to investigate the prevalence and predictors of neurocognitive impairment to help in targeted screening and disease prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-four people living with HIV were interviewed in a study using a cross-sectional design and the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS). Additionally, the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics of the patients were recorded. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine the level of significance among the independent risk factors and probable neurocognitive impairment. RESULTS: The point prevalence of neurocognitive impairment was found to be 39.3%. Participants’ characteristics of being older than 40 years (AOR= 2.81 (95% CI; 1.11–7.15)), having a history of recreational drug use (AOR= 13.67 (95% CI; 6.42–29.13)), and being non-compliant with prescribed medications (AOR= 2.99 (95% CI; 1.01–8.87)) were independent risk factors for neurocognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: The identification of predictors, in the Ethiopian people living with HIV, may help in the targeted screening of vulnerable groups during cART follow-up visits. This may greatly help in strategizing and implementation of the prevention program, more so, because (i) HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment is an asymptomatic condition for considerable durations, and (ii) clinical trials on neurocognitive impairment therapies have been unsuccessful.