Background: Anaemia is a common complication of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and\nmay have various causes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and related factors of anemia in\nHAART-naive HIV positive Patients.\nMethods: A retrospective study was conducted on HAART naive HIV positive patients at the Gondar University\nHospital between September 2011 and August 2012. Socio-demographic and immunohematological (hemoglobin\nand CD4+ T cells) data were collected carefully from the existing ART logbook and patient follow up cards.\nAnaemia was defined according to the WHO criteria.\nResults: The overall prevalence of anaemia was 138 (35%). Female HAART naive HIV positive patients had\nsignificantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of anaemia than males (62% Vs 38%). The prevalence of anaemia at\ndifferent CD4 level was; 6 (4%) with CD4 count greater than 500 cells/Ã?µL, 18 (13%) with a CD4 count of 350ââ?¬â??500\ncells/Ã?µL, 37 (27%) with a CD4 count of 200ââ?¬â??349 cells/Ã?µL, 44 (32%) with a CD4 count of 100ââ?¬â??199 cells/Ã?µL, 14 (10%)\nwith a CD4 count of 50ââ?¬â??99 and 19 (14%) with CD4 count of less than 50 cells/Ã?µL.\nConclusions: Our findings showed that one-third of HAART naÃ?¯ve HIV positive patients were anaemic and the\nincrease in prevalence of anaemia with decreased CD4 cell count was statistically significant. Therefore, early\ndiagnosis and treatment of anaemia in these patients are essential.
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