HIV Dementia among HIV Positive People at Debre Markos Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract:Background: HIV dementia which impairs life by causing learning, memory, behavioral and motor disabilities is still a particular problem in the HAART era. It has been prevalent particularly in the third world and specifically in sub Saharan Africa where limited access to diagnosis, treatment, care and support has been common. Hence the assessment of HIV dementia in one of the sub Saharan countries, namely Ethiopia, particularly in Debre markos referral hospital is important. Methods: A cross-sectional study design with descriptive and analytical components was employed on 423 participants with systematic random sampling technique (with proportional allocation). Data was collected by face to face interview, observation and document review using International HIV dementia scale translated into local language (Amharic version); then it was analyzed using SPSS window 20. The level of association was dealt using confidence interval and odds ratio. Result: the prevalence of HIV dementia was 24.8%. Having no education (AOR=3.11, 95% CI (1.37, 7.04)), older age of 50 years or above (AOR=4.25, 95% CI (1.05, 17.18)), having co morbid opportunistic infection (AOR=7.48, 95% CI (4.1, 13.64)) and substance use (AOR=4.64, 95% CI (2.3, 9.36)) were significantly associated with HIV dementia. Conclusion: Despite wide spread use of HAART, HIV dementia among HIV positive people is high when compared to worldwide figure. Having no education, older age of 50 years or more, being on HAART, having co morbid opportunistic infection, being in late stages of the illness and substance use were significantly associated with HIV dementia. Recommendation: starting HAART in those who developed opportunistic infection and in those 50 years or older PLHA should be considered regardless of the CD4 count.

High prevalence of neurocognitive disorders observed among adult people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…However, the prevalence of HAND in the current study was higher than a cross-sectional study done in Brazil (53%)(16), (53%)(4), in Botswana (38%)(8) Indonesia (51%)(26), Nigeria 30%(20), South Africa (25%) (27), South Asia (22.7%) (13) and in Ethiopia at Debre Markos North West (24.8%) (17), Dessie (36.4%) (18) and the Mekele referral hospital Northern Ethiopia 33.3% (21). The differences might be accounted to the neurovirulence strain differences and sociodemographic differences.…”

“…Body mass index, depression and alcohol abuse were also found to be associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder in Uganda (7). In addition to the above factors, presence of opportunistic infections and poor medication adherence were associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (17, 18).…”

Incidence and predictors of tuberculosis occurrence among adults on antiretroviral therapy at Debre Markos referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: retrospective follow-up study

“…There are 4 outpatient clinics such as 2 refill for adult, 1 refill for pediatric and 1 OIs treatment clinic. These unit provide ART service in the hospital with average visit of 36-40 patients to each unit per day [21]. Patient's information's were recorded both in electronic record systems and paper chart.…”

Mental Health Needs of People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Thematic Overview

“…[19]. Further, PLHA are at risk of developing chronic mental health issues like dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder etc., [29,30]. Also within PLHA, mental health issues are more prevalent among socially disadvantaged groups such as MSMs, Gays, Transgender, women, victims of abuse and children especially those orphaned by HIV [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”

“…As HIV/ AIDS is associated with stigma majority of PLHA particularly in Low and middle income countries do not disclose their HIV status and do not seek medical care due to fear of discrimination thereby side-lining them from accessing highly effective ART [16]. Also, individuals with HIV are at high risk of developing several mental health illnesses resulting in non-adherence to ART, high risk behaviours etc., which not just worsens there health but also contribute to spread of infection [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. …”