Status of Anaemia and Malaria Co-infection With HIV From HAART Clinics in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Malaria and HIV are 2 significant infections of critical public health concern globally. Malaria infection is one of the preceding causes of morbidity and mortality in endemic developing countries, and its co-infections in HIV patients worsen prognosis; with anaemia being the most common haematologic outcome of the infections.

CONTEXT AND PURPOSE OF STUDY

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of anaemia and malaria co-infection among HIV-infected patients attending selected hospitals in Abuja between February and July 2019.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out to detect malaria in 420 HIV-positive patients who were 12 to 67 years old, using enzyme immunoassay and microscopy. A structured questionnaire was used to capture socio-demographic and risk factors ([Frequency of] Use of Malaria preventive Measures, History of anaemia, Blood type, malaria antecedents, and CD4+ Count) while packed cell volume was checked using micro haematocrit reader to determine anaemia status. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS v25.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study participants was 37.5 (±12.48). A total of 142 (33.8%) samples were positive for malaria, and 68 of the HIV-infected patients (16.2%) were anaemic; 4.8% of the 420 patients had malaria co-infection and anaemia simultaneously. More male participants had malaria co-infection (36.0%,  = .617) while more female participants had anaemia (22.7%,  = .058). Patients aged 61 to 70 years had the highest rates of malaria and those aged 51 to 60 years were most anaemic. Except for patients with normal CD4+ count, those who were more exposed to the evaluated risk factors were more co-infected and anaemic. Malaria co-infection did not significantly affect the onset of anaemia. Test for the validity of Microscopy against Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) showed 83.1% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity. No association was observed between the variables and the parasitaemia density of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted higher rates of malaria co-infection and anaemia among HIV patients when compared with previous reports in the region although co-infection did not significantly affect anaemia status. Given this trend, strategies must be put in place to checkmate these ailments. Population studies are also advocated.