Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases among HIV Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Tertiary Health Facility in Makurdi, North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment program has grown exponentially in Nigeria largely due to improved  Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen which has changed the course of HIV/AIDs by enabling patients to live longer, raising concern of the  co- existence of HIV with other chronic illnesses, notably non communicable diseases (NCDs). This study determined the prevalence of  hypertension and diabetes mellitus among HIV positive patients in a tertiary institution in Makurdi, Northcentral Nigeria.

Methods: A  cross-sectional study was conducted at the ART clinic among clients ≥ aged 21 years old living with HIV /or enrolled between October 2022, and March 30, 2023. The clients’ information was extracted from the register using a Proforma and all the clients who had attended  their follow up clinic visit within the study period were included in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Categorical data  were presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results: Among the 491 patients, 404 (82.3%) had HIV only and 87 (17.7%) had HIV and  at least one comorbidity, namely DM and/or HTN. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity affecting 15.5% of the patients while  1.0% of them were diabetic. The middle aged (30-49) patients, females (63.2%) had the highest prevalence of comorbidities and some of those with normal weight (35.6%) also had the highest prevalence of NCDs.

Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases are common  among people living with HIV. There is need to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases in HIV positive  patients in Nigeria.