West Afr J Med. 2025 Aug 29;42(8):660-667.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major chronic comorbidity among people living with HIV (PLHIV), and it remains a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in this group. The study identified risk factors for hypertension among PLHIV and assessed their cardiovascular risk.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 284 adults attending the Special Treatment Clinic, National Hospital Abuja (June-August 2021) collected hypertension risk-factor data using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Analysis was conducted with EPI Info 7.1, and logistic regression identified factors associated with hypertension at a significance level of p < 0.05.
RESULT: Two hundred and eighty-four (284) patients met the inclusion criteria and were recruited. The mean ±SD age of the respondents was 43.2±8.8 years, with a range of 20 to 67 years. The prevalence of hypertension among HIV sero-positive patients was 19.7%. After logistic regression, the independent determinants of hypertension were age group 45-54 years (OR 0.9, CI 0.8-1.0, P=0.007), female gender (OR 3.4, CI 1.3-8.5, P 0.009), secondary level of education (OR 2.9, CI 1.5-5.6, P 0.002), physical inactivity (OR 0.4, CI 0.2-0.9, P 0.033), and CD4 count >500 cells/mm³ (OR 0.4, CI 0.2-0.8, P 0.013).
CONCLUSION: Hypertension is common among PLHIV. Older age, female gender, secondary level of education, physical inactivity, and CD4 count >500cells/mm³ were significantly associated with hypertension. Most participants had a low cardiovascular risk. Incorporating routine hypertension screening and risk factor assessment into HIV care is crucial to lessen the burden of this condition in this population.
PMID:41801148