Magnitude of Hypertension and Associated Factors among HIV Infected Individuals on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Four Selected Government Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2024

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is 2.5 times higher in people living with HIV (PWH) than in HIV-negative adults. Globally, the annual HIV-associated CVD risk is estimated to be 2.6 million disability-adjusted life-years. The major risk occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of PWH are located. Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most important modifiable CVD risk factors, and its prevalence among PWH receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Ethiopia ranges from 12.7% to 41.3%. As high as 20% were newly diagnosed. The results show such a wide variation partly explained by differences in the methodology. Our study addresses the problem of HTN in PWH receiving HAART in urban settings and evaluates associated risk factors. Objectives: To assess the magnitude of hypertension and associated factors among PWH receiving HAART in selected government hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2024 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected four government hospitals in Addis Ababa. The study participants were selected by simple random sampling method. A face-to-face interview was conducted, and three blood pressure measurements were taken for each participant at five-minute intervals. The collected data was coded and entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 software for analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to evaluate basic participant characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) was used to assess association with odds ratio. Statistical significance levels were set at p-value < 0.05 with 95% CI. Result: Our study reveals that the magnitude of hypertension among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on HAART is 31.8%. Age (AOR 7.9, 95% CI 2.3-27.6), educational status (AOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2-10.0), occupation (AOR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.6), being overweight (AOR 18.9, 95% CI 3.3-108.9, p < 0.001) or obese (AOR 27.6, 95% CI 4.3-179.0), history of known Thyroid disease (AOR 3.9, 95% CI 1.0-15.0), and WHO clinical stage at the time of HIV diagnosis (AOR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4) were the significant factors for hypertension among People living with HIV. Conclusion: The magnitude of Hypertension among people living with HIV in the current study stays high in the country underscoring the urgent need for integrated healthcare strategies. Older age, higher education, obesity, and known thyroid disease were seen to increase the risk of hypertension among People with HIV infection. Key Words: Hypertension prevalence, People Living with HIV, Addis Ababa