Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malaria and HIV are 2 significant infections of critical public health concern globally. Malaria infection is one of the preceding causes of morbidity and mortality in endemic developing countries, and its co-infections in HIV patients worsen prognosis; with anaemia being the most common haematologic outcome of the infections. CONTEXT AND PURPOSE OF STUDY: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of anaemia and malaria co-infection among HIV-infected patients attending selected hospitals in Abuja between February and July 2019. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to detect malaria in 420 HIV-positive patients who were 12 to 67 years old, using enzyme immunoassay and microscopy. A structured questionnaire was used to capture socio-demographic and risk factors ([Frequency of] Use of Malaria preventive Measures, History of anaemia, Blood type, malaria antecedents, and CD4+ Count) while packed cell volume was checked using micro haematocrit reader to determine anaemia status. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS v25. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 37.5 (±12.48). A total of 142 (33.8%) samples were positive for malaria, and 68 of the HIV-infected patients (16.2%) were anaemic; 4.8% of the 420 patients had malaria co-infection and anaemia simultaneously. More male participants had malaria co-infection (36.0%, P = .617) while more female participants had anaemia (22.7%, P = .058). Patients aged 61 to 70 years had the highest rates of malaria and those aged 51 to 60 years were most anaemic. Except for patients with normal CD4+ count, those who were more exposed to the evaluated risk factors were more co-infected and anaemic. Malaria co-infection did not significantly affect the onset of anaemia. Test for the validity of Microscopy against Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) showed 83.1% sensitivity and 98.6% specificity. No association was observed between the variables and the parasitaemia density of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted higher rates of malaria co-infection and anaemia among HIV patients when compared with previous reports in the region although co-infection did not significantly affect anaemia status. Given this trend, strategies must be put in place to checkmate these ailments. Population studies are also advocated.