Immuno-Haematological Abnormalities of HIV-Infected Patients Before and After Initiation of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in the Antiretroviral Therapy Clinics of Six Health Facilities at Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Background In people living with the human immunodeficiency virus, haematological abnormalities have been linked to an increased risk of disease progression and mortality. Hematological parameters may have a positive or negative impact on antiretroviral therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the immuno-haematological abnormalities of HIV-infected patients before and after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy in the antiretroviral therapy clinics of six health facilities in Dessie, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 30, 2021, at the antiretroviral therapy clinics of six health facilities in Dessie Town. A total of 378 HIV-infected patients taking highly active antiretroviral treatment for at least 6 months by using a consecutive sampling technique were included. A well-organized questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical information. Immune-haematological parameters were tested using a Mindray BS-300 hematology analyzer and a BD FACS count CD4 analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 statistical software. Statistical significance was defined as a P-value of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Results Leukopenia was found in 26.7% and 16.5%, neutropenia in 16.5% and 9.4%, lymphopenia in 20% and 3.1%, and thrombocytopenia in 25.9% and 7.1% of HIV patients before and after HAART initiation, respectively. There was a significant difference in total white blood cell, absolute neutrophil, red blood cell, hemoglobin value, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width, platelet and CD4+ T cell counts in HIV patients before and after the initiation of HAART with P < 0.05. Conclusion and Recommendation Anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia were the most common haematological abnormalities found in this study before and after HAART initiation. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia, immunosuppression, and viral load was reduced considerably after starting HAART.

Atherogenic dyslipidemia and associated risk factors among hypertensive patients of five health facilities in Northeast Ethiopia

“…Its entire area is 15.08 km2, and its distance from Addis Ababa, the county headquarters, and Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara regional state, respectively, is 401 km and 471 km. Eight health facilities, three private general hospitals, five higher private clinics, one general hospital, one comprehensive specialized hospital, and one general hospital are all located in Dessie town and provide medical services to the surrounding areas [ 32 ]. For the purpose of this study five (namely, Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, Borumeda general hospital, Selam general hospital, Ethio general hospitals, and Bati general hospitals) health facilities that provide chronic diseases services were selected.…”