Abstract:
Background: Anemia, defined as a decreased concentration of blood hemoglobin, is a major public health problem in persons living with HIV /AIDS particularly in people taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). Anemia in HIV/AIDS patients as effect on their quality of life and disease progression to AIDS. Studies regarding anemia among HIV/AIDS patients taking ART and its associated factors are scarce in Ethiopian society. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of Anemia and its associated factors among adult PLWHA who are taking antiretroviral therapy in Debre Tabor Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2015Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional quantitative study was employed in Debre Tabor Hospital from January 1, 2010-December 30, 2014. Simple random sampling technique was used; the total sample size was 385.Data was extracted from patient’s chartby using structured checklist. It was entered using EPI INFO version 7.1 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Both descriptive and Analytic statistics were carried out. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was also made. Variables with P value < 0.05 were considered significant in multivariable Analysis. Results: A total of 377 patients chart were reviewed, the overall prevalence of anemia was23.1% (95% CI: 19.1, 27.6). The multivariable analysis showed that ART naïve patients (AOR=3.37, 95% CI: 1.59, 7.14), Zidovudine containing regimen (AOR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.57), anti tuberculosis drugs (AOR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.19, 8.67) and Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4) count of < 200 cells/mm3(AOR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.36) were significantly associated with occurrence of anemia. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia was moderate and found to be public health problem. Duration of ART, type of ART drugs, anti TB drugs and CD4 count< 200 cells/mm3 was significantly associated with occurrence of anemia. Recommendation: Early diagnosis and treatment of anemia is recommended fo rHIV /AIDS patients taking ART.