Trends Journal of Sciences Research, 2019, Volume 4, Issue 2, 80-87 http://www.tjsr.org/journal/index.php/tjsr DOI: 10.31586/InfectiousDiseases.0402.05 DOI: 10.31586/InfectiousDiseases.0402.05 80 Trends Journal of Sciences Research Anemia and Associated Risk Factors among People Living with Hiv in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania Yulitha Barnabas 1,2 , Pilly Machivya 2 , Sixbert I. Mkumbaye 2,3,* 1 Milembe Referral Mental Hospital-Dodoma Regional Hospital. P. O. Box 910, Dodoma, Tanzania 2 Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College of Tumaini University, Makumira, Tanzania 3 Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania *Corresponding author: Yulitha Barnabas (s.mkumbaye@kcri.ac.tz) Abstract Background: Anemia is the most frequent hematologic abnormality of HIV disease and one of the most common manifestations of nutritional deficiency disorders in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 70% of the world’s people living with HIV/AIDS, where the prevalence of anemia is higher than in developed countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among people living with HIV at Dodoma regional hospital during 2013-2014. Methodology: A retrospective cross-section study conducted among PLWHIV at Dodoma Regional Hospital between 2015 and 2016. A total of 869 PLWHIV were enrolled. Data extraction sheet were used to collect Socio- demographics, immune-hematological data and ARV status from existing patient’s files (CTC 2 card). Double entry of data in Microsoft excel were done and transferred for analyzing using SPSS v.16. Results: Majority of them were females 648(74.6%)and 508(58.2%) were between 19-45years with mean age of 38.84(±14.09). 824(94. 8%) were on ARV; where 640(73.6%) are from urban. The overall prevalence of anaemia among PLHIV was 59.5% of which 56.6% of these were on ARV, and 2.9% were not on ARV. Age, sex and CD4+ counts < 200cell/μl were among factors associated with anemia among PLWHIV. Conclusion: Moderate anaemia was common in the study population. Screening and management of anemia along with the proper use Anti-retroviral therapy may decrease risk of anemia and the effect ARV on red blood cells. Haemoglobin measurements should be taken before initiation of ARV and routinely followed among ARV users. Keywords: Prevalence, Anaemia, PLWHIV, ARV 1. Introduction Anemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in the red blood cell count, hemoglobin and/or hematocrit values as compared to normal reference range for age, sex, race and altitude which decreases oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells to tissues [1]. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level of <12 g/dl for women and <13 g/dl for [1-5]. Also anemia was classified as mild (11–11.9 g/dl for women and 11– 12.9 g/dl for men), moderate (8–10.9 g/dl) and severe (<8 g/dl) [1]. Similarly this definition is in agreement with WHO (2006) classification of anemia(WHO 2006). Anemia is the most frequent hematologic abnormality of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease and one of the most common manifestations of nutritional deficiency disorders in the world. Among HIV-infected individuals from the United States and Europe, anemia has been independently associated with mortality, progression to Acquired Immune Deficiency Virus (AIDS), and decreased quality of life [6]. Although comparing rates of anemia among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) from different studies is complicated by variations in a number of factors including stage of HIV disease, How to cite this article: Barnabas, Y., Machivya, P., & Mkumbaye, S. (2019). Anemia and Associated Risk Factors among People Living with Hiv in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania. Trends Journal Of Sciences Research, 4(2), 80-87. Received: November 17, 2018 Accepted: January 21, 2019 Published: February 01, 2019 Copyright © 2019 by authors and Trends in Scientific Research Publishing. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Research Article Open Access