Abstract:
Introduction: Comorbidities among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) increases with disease
severity. This may be attributed to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) toxicity and
HIV/AIDS-related infections.
Aim: We investigated the presence of comorbidities among PLWHA and reported their clinical and
biochemical characteristics.
Methods: This study was conducted at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (ENRH) in the South-
Western part of Ghana. A retrospective data of 500 participants (134 males and 366 females) was
collected from HIV/AIDS patients on HAART (January 2012 to January 2016). Sociodemographic
characteristics and laboratory data of patients were retrieved from patients’ clinical files and
laboratory database respectively. Data was analyzed with SPSS for both descriptive and
inferential analysis.
Results: A total of 96 (19.2%) comorbidities were recorded (N=500). The most prevalent
comorbidity was hepatitis B virus infection (34.4%). Among the 96 HIV/AIDS patients who had
comorbidities, 27 (28.1%) were males and 69 (71.9%) were females. The systolic blood pressure
(SBP) of the HIV/AIDS patients with comorbidities was similar to that of those without
comorbidities (113.84 ± 16.73 vs 115.32 ± 15.68). Majority of the participants with comorbidities 59
(61.5%) and those without comorbidities 227 (56.2%) were found to be on the same therapy
combination (TDF+3TC+EFV). The decreased CD4 cell count, estimated glomerular filtration rate
(eGFR), serum potassium and creatinine were similar in the participants (those with comorbidities
and those without comorbidities). None of the demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters
were associated with the presence of comorbidities.
Conclusion: The total prevalence of commodities was 19.2% and the most prevalent commodity
was HBV (34.4%). The comorbidities were common among females, the married and old people
living with HIV/AIDS. Early and regular screening will be a key prevention and control strategy for
the HIV/AIDS-associated commodities.
