Magnitude of Hypertension and Associated Factors Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Adults Receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

People living with human immunodeficiency virus are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. Current evidence on the proportion of hypertension is essential to inform policymaker to strengthen interventions and regular monitoring of hypertension, yet information is scarce concerning hypertension in this study area.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the magnitude of hypertension and associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed. Data were collected from systematically selected 412 participants using pre-tested, interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data were entered and coded using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version 14. The assumption of the logistic regression model was checked using a correlation matrix and Hosmer and Lemeshow’s tests. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

In the present study, the prevalence of hypertension among human immunodeficiency virus-positive adults who received antiretroviral therapy was found to be 41.3% (95% CI; 36.7–46.0). Age groups 35–45 years (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.27), greater than 45 years (AOR: 5.00, 95% CI: 2.190, 11.44), no physical exercise (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.33, 5.57), body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/m² (AOR: 2.87 95% CI: 1.52, 5.39), and antiretroviral therapy regimens of 2 h/2f/2e/ABC+3TC+ATV/r (AOR: 3.05, 95% CI: 1.41, 6.60) were significantly associated with hypertension.

Conclusion

In the current study, the magnitude of hypertension was high among HIV-positive adults. Therefore, educating about the use of lifestyle change, counseling the use of regular physical activities, promoting weight reduction, and intervention in this situation are highly recommended.

Keywords:

• hypertension
• HIV
• ART

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Debre Markos Referral Hospital officials to allow us to conduct this project on their customers. We extend our special thanks to all data collectors and respondents.

Abbreviations

AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome; ART, anti-retroviral therapy; HAART, hyperactive anti-retroviral therapy; HTN, hypertension; WHO, World Health Organization.

Data Sharing Statement

The data sets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review committee of Health Science Debre Markos University with institutional research ethics review committee number of HSC/R/C/SE/PG/Co/422/11/12. Permission was obtained from hospital administrators. All participants were informed about the purpose of the study prior to consenting to participate. Verbal consent was obtained from each participant prior to data collection. The Ethical Review Committee of Health Science Debre Markos University approved the informed verbal consent process. A participant name was not included in the data collection format, and the data were not disclosed to any person other than principal investigators. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Author Contributions

YS: Conception of the research protocol, literature review, study design, data analysis, interpretation and drafting of the manuscript. YS, ADA, WSS and DH: Data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript review. All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting or revising the article, have agreed on the journal to which the article will be submitted, gave final approval of the version to be published, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors have declared that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding to report.