Magnitude and factors contributing to opportunistic infection in HIV patients visiting at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Opportunistic infections are the predominant causes of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. The level of immunity determines the occurrence and type of OIs. It accounts for more than 90% of HIV/AIDS death. Numerous studies have explored the preva lence of opportunistic infections and their associated factors in people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aimed to determine the Magnitude and factor contributing to opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patients visiting at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College. This research can guide the hospital policymakers in developing programs that improve the quality of life for people living with HIV and reduce OI-related morbidity and mortality, ultimately strengthening public health responses in high-burden regions. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at St. Paulo’s Hospitals mil lennium medical college Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The research encompassed individuals visiting ART clinic with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis during the period from November 1, 2021, to Decem ber 30, 2024. Data were collected using structured questionnaire by reviewing patient charts and analyzed by SPSS version 27.0. Bi-variable and multi-variable binary logistic regression anal yses used to identify factors contributing for the development of opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS patients. Result: A total of 311 study participant medical records were reviewed from their follow-up charts. The mean age of the participant was 39.89 years (±11.53 SD), majority of participants were females (55%). The overall prevalence of OIs among the study participants was 44.1%. The most frequent OIs from this study were Tuberculosis (both pulmonary and extra pulmonary) at (28.6%), oral/oesophageal candidiasis at (8.4%), CNS Toxoplasmosis at (5.8%) and chronic diarrhoea at 5.5%. Baseline advanced WHO clinical staging III/IV (( aOR=45.59; 95% CI:( 16.17- 128.53), aOR=171.93; 95% CI: (40.75 – 725.4 )) was found to have statistically signifi cant association with opportunistic infection. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of opportunistic infections (OIs) among HIV/AIDS patients visiting at St. Paulo’s millennium medical collage. Advanced base line WHO clinical staging (III and IV) is the single strongest and most powerful predictor for developing an opportunistic infection.