The magnitude of hypertension and associated factors among clients on highly active antiretroviral treatment in Southern Ethiopia, 2020: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Following the introduction of Highly Active Anti Retro Viral Treatment (HAART), the survival of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) has improved. However, hypertension remains a major challenge for people living with HIV. Very little effort has been made to examine the magnitude of hypertension and its contributing factors among clients receiving HAART, particularly in southern Ethiopia. Hence, the current study aimed at determining the frequency of Hypertension and associated factors among clients receiving HAART at Wachemo University Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia, 2020. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study took place from January 20- March 20, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was employed in the selection of 397 clients. Interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters of PLHIV were measured. The data was encoded and entered using Epi Data Version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Then bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify associated factors. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used to present the estimated effect size and declare the presence of statistically significant association respectively. RESULTS: The magnitude of hypertension among clients on HAART was 11.0% 95% CI [7.93, 14.04]. Being on HAART for at least 60 months (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.24-5.21), being on TDF/3TC/EFV combination (AOR: 4.61, 95% CI: 2.52-8.3), and high alcohol consumption (AOR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.84-10.02) were identified as significant predictors of hypertension among clients on HAART. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The magnitude of hypertension in the study area was in a considerable state to plan and implement intervention measures. For those clients who have received TDF/3TC/EFV and TDF/3TC/NVP and those who have been on HAART for 60 months, a strong emphasis should be placed on planning a strict follow-up. A concerted effort among health care providers is needed through counseling and education to discourage the habit of high alcohol consumption among clients.

HIV positive status disclosure among women attending art clinic at Hawassa University Referral Hospital, South Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: Disclosure of Human Immune Virus (HIV) positive status may increase opportunities of obtaining social support, implementation of HIV risk reduction with partners and improving access to treatment and motivate partners for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). Thus, status disclosure is an issue to be addressed for HIV prevention & treatment. The objective of this study is to determine the magnitude, outcome and determinants of HIV positive status disclosure to sexual partners among women people living with HIV/AIDS at Hawassa University Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted on HIV positive women who were attending ART clinic at Hawassa University Referral Hospital from March to April 2008. Single population proportion formula was used to determine sample size. Convenient sampling was used to recruit patients. Using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire, data were collected through patient interview consecutively until the required number of patients was obtained over one month period. Statistical analysis was done to determine the magnitude and factors associated with HIV positive status disclosure. RESULTS: Overall 85.7% the women had disclosed their HIV positive status to their sexual partners. The common barriers reported for non disclosure of HIV status were fear of abandonment; fear of break-up in relationship and fear of stigma. The negative partner reaction reported by those women who disclosed to sexual partner in this study was found to be high (59.3%). Majority (77.9%) had sexual intercourse in the past 6 month. 9.1% of the women were pregnant since they tested for HIV and significant number of women reported inconsistent use of condom. Being married, being on ART for more than one year and knowing the HIV status of the partner were found to be predictors of HIV positive status disclosure. CONCLUSION: Even though, the magnitude of HIV positive status disclosure to sexual partner in this study is encouraging, risk behaviors and negative partner reactions following disclosure were high. Therefore; efforts should be made for follow up couple counseling and testing, use of behavior rehearsal technique to overcome barriers of disclosure, and linking of HIV/AIDS interventions with reproductive health services to address gender specific reproductive health needs of women peoples living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with an emphasis on family planning.