The Magnitude of Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ethiopia: WHO STEPwise approach

Abstract

Background: Anti-retroviral therapy in most parts of the world, including Ethiopia, has allowed HIV patients tolive longer but with a corresponding rise in risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Hence, this study aimed to describe the magnitude of  behavioural, physical, and biochemical risk factors for NCDs among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Ethiopia.  Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in chronic HIV care clinics at five health facilities in Addis Ababa,  Ethiopia. A total of 413 HIV patients were included in the study. A World Health Organization STEP survey tool was used to assess  common risk factors for NCDs. Biochemical risk factors were assessed on half (207) of the study participants. Descriptive statistics was  used to determine the magnitude of the behavioral, physical, and biochemical risk factors for NCDs. Results: About 10.2% (42) of the  PLHIV had a history of ever smoking tobacco, and 52.8% (218) of participants were lifetime alcohol consumers. About 86.4% (357) did not  consume vegetables on a regular basis. Overall, 13.1 % (54) had elevated total systolic blood pressure, 23.7% (98) had elevated diastolic  blood pressure, and 11.8% of females and 3.8% of males had increased waist circumference. Of the total participants, 13.1% (53) were underweight, and 2.5% (10) were in the obese category. Among the samples collected, 34.7% (72) had elevated fasting blood sugar, and  21.3% (44) had elevated cholesterol levels. Conclusions: The behavioral, physical, and biochemical risk factors of NCDs are common  among PLWHIV. Incorporation of risk factors assessment to NCDs and timely advice by professionals will have far-reaching positive  benefits on the well-being of PLWHIV.