Sociodemographic and Psychological Determinants of Neurocognitive Disorders in People Living with HIV on TARVs in Kinshasa: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background and aim: Neurocognitive disorders are described in people living with HIV (PLWH) on therapeutic anti-retroviral (TARVs), but their determinants are not known. The aim of this study is to determine the determinants of neurocognitive disorders in PLHIV on TARVs. Methods: 45 PLWH on ARVs were analyzed in a cross-sectional study conducted in 2 ARV distribution centers in Kinshasa from August to October 2020. Sociodemographic variables, perceived stress score and neurocognitive disorders were the parameters of interest. A logistic regression made it possible to identify the determinants. The threshold of statistical significance was p <0.05. Results: We recorded 45 patients who met our inclusion criteria. The female sex was the majority (71.1%), the mean age was (50.6 plus or minus 9.1 years) with a sex ratio 3F: 1H, asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders (AND) was more noted in our patients and they was more in the attention and calculation component (60%). All of our patients were under stress, 58% of whom were under high stress; there has been a clear correlation between stress and AND, age> 60 years [aOR: 4.09, 95% CI: 1.63), p = 0.022), unmarried status [aOR: 4.40, 95% CI: 1.79-6.63), p = 0.017) and high perceived stress [aOR: 4.97, 95% CI: 2.72-9.85, p = 0.008) were independent risk factors associated with cognitive impairment in the population of study. Conclusion: The prevalence of neurocognitive disorders was high in PLWH on TARVs and these disorders concerned adults, educated, living alone with a predominance of women. Their determinants were age> 60, loneliness and high stress level.