INCIDENCE AND PREDICTORS OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE AMONG ADULT HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS AT HAWASSA UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Due to the extended life expectancy of HIV/AIDS patients with the availability of antiretroviral therapy, concerns have risen regarding the co-occurrence of HIV and non communicable diseases (NCDs). Thus, this study aims to contribute to scientific knowledge on NCDs among people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 18 and above at Hawassa Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital. Objective: To determine the incidence and predictors of non-communicable diseases among adult HIV-positive patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital 2024. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from April 1–30, 2024. All HIV-positive patients who fulfilled the eligible criteria and had been followed up at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 2003-2022 were considered the total sample size for this particular study. Data was collected from medical records using a standardized checklist using the Kobo toolbox. Statistical Package for Social Studies version 26.0 was used for data analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival function was used to estimate NCDs' free survival time and to compare NCDs' free survival time with a log-rank test. Both bi-variable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to identify the predictors of NCDs. Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), P-value <0.05, and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to report the result. Result: The incidence rate was 8.5 per 100 PYs. Those with a family size >=4 (AHR = 0.6, 95% CI0.4-0.9) Other occupational status (student, prisoner, commercial sex worker )(AHR = 0.4, 95% CI: (0.3-0.7), BMI >=25 (AHR = 2.2, CI: 1.3-3.7), and poor ART adherence (AHR = 3.3, CI: (2-5.5) were predictors for time to any one of the non-communicable disease development. Conclusion and Recommendation: Given the overall incidence of any one of the NCDs, was high, policymakers need to focus on screening and treatment strategies for PLHIV, while healthcare providers need to offer counseling on drug adherence, lifestyle, and diet.