Prevalence of HIV among Sickle Cell Patients at the Yaounde Central Hospital

ABSTRACT

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder; characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal; rigid; sickle shape and often shows itself by chronic hemolytic anemia. Patients are exposed to multiple blood transfusions throughout their life with a higher risk of contacting viruses such as major human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence HIV infection in sickle cell patient accounting the number of received transfusions. Patients and methods:This was a cross sectional analytical study performed on the sickle cell patients of the sickle cell clinic of the Yaounde Central Hospital from July 2008 to January 2009. Sociodemographic data; transfusion history were recorded. A serological testing with ELISA method was done Results: Hundred and eight (108) patients were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. More than half (52.78) was male and the mean age of patients was 21+/-9 years (5-47). HIV antibodies were found in six patients (5;6). Five of 6 infected patients were Female (p = 0.028). All HIV positive patients have already been transfused and HIV seropositivity increased with the number of blood transfusions (r = 0.24; P 0.05). Conclusion: These results show the vulnerability of the polytransfused patients with sickle cell anemia towards HIV infection and the necessity of strengthening the transfusional safety policy