Predictors of Opportunistic Infections among HIV-infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are diseases that cause infections in people whose immune systems are compromised. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of OIs and associated factors among HIV-infected patients. Institutional-based cross-sectional study was done in Eastern Zone, Tigray, Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 394 study participants through an interview method. The required sample size was determined using a single population proportion formula. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to find factors at p < .05. The prevalence of OIs was found to be 52% (95% CI [47.5, 57.1]). Occupation, CD4+ count, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and functional status were independently associated with OIs. Intervention measures such as improving adherence to ART should be strengthened to further reduce the burden of OIs.