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. 2020 Oct 13:12:559-572.
doi: 10.2147/HIV.S260831. eCollection 2020.

Prevalence and Predictors of Neurocognitive Impairment in Ethiopian Population Living with HIV

Mohammed Salahuddin  1   2 , Md Dilshad Manzar  3 , Hamid Yimam Hassen  4   5 , Aleem Unissa  6 , Unaise Abdul Hameed  7 , David Warren Spence  8 , Seithikurippu R Pandi-Perumal  9
Affiliations

Prevalence and Predictors of Neurocognitive Impairment in Ethiopian Population Living with HIV

Mohammed Salahuddin et al. HIV AIDS (Auckl). .

Abstract

Background: Modern antiretroviral therapy has extended the life expectancies of people living with HIV; however, the prevention and treatment of their associated neurocognitive decline have remained a challenge. Consequently, it is desirable to investigate the prevalence and predictors of neurocognitive impairment to help in targeted screening and disease prevention.

Materials and methods: Two hundred and forty-four people living with HIV were interviewed in a study using a cross-sectional design and the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS). Additionally, the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics of the patients were recorded. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine the level of significance among the independent risk factors and probable neurocognitive impairment.

Results: The point prevalence of neurocognitive impairment was found to be 39.3%. Participants' characteristics of being older than 40 years (AOR= 2.81 (95% CI; 1.11-7.15)), having a history of recreational drug use (AOR= 13.67 (95% CI; 6.42-29.13)), and being non-compliant with prescribed medications (AOR= 2.99 (95% CI; 1.01-8.87)) were independent risk factors for neurocognitive impairment.

Conclusion: The identification of predictors, in the Ethiopian people living with HIV, may help in the targeted screening of vulnerable groups during cART follow-up visits. This may greatly help in strategizing and implementation of the prevention program, more so, because (i) HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment is an asymptomatic condition for considerable durations, and (ii) clinical trials on neurocognitive impairment therapies have been unsuccessful.

Keywords: Africa; Ethiopia; HIV; IHDS; cART; dementia; recreational drugs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have read the journal’s policy and have the following potential conflicts: This study was not an industry-supported study. S.R. Pandi-Perumal is a stockholder and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Somnogen Canada Inc., a Canadian Corporation. This does not alter his adherence to all the journal policies. Pandi-Perumal has edited several academic volumes for which he receives occasional annual royalties. He declares that he has no competing interests that might be perceived to influence the content of this article. Other remaining authors declare that they have no proprietary, financial, professional, nor any other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product or services and/or company that could be construed or considered to be a potential conflict of interest that might have influenced the views expressed in this manuscript. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of their affiliated institutions.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Independent components of IHDS scores like recall, motor, and psychomotor were calculated. * indicates a main effect wherein probable neurocognitive impairment patients differ from respective neurocognitive stable patients. p<0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow chart of the sampling procedure and sample size calculation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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