Prevalence and predictors of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder in Ethiopians

Background: Modern antiretroviral therapy has extended the life expectancies of people living with HIV; the prevention and treatment of their associated neurocognitive decline has remained a challenge. Consequently, it is desirable to investigate the prevalence and predictors of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) to help in targeted screening and disease prevention. Methods: Two hundred and forty-four people living with HIV were interviewed in a study using a cross-sectional design and 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 HAND. Results The point prevalence of HAND 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 HAND. Conclusion The identification of predictors, some of which may be more closely related to the Ethiopian people living with HIV, may help in 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) HAND is an asymptomatic condition for considerable durations, and (ii) clinical trials of HAND therapies have been unsuccessful.