Abstract
Opportunistic infections (OIs) remain the leading cause of death among people living with Human immune deficient virus and OIs-related mortality in Africa is estimated at 310 000 cases. Besides, Somalia has scant data about OIs since a high burden of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection has been reported. Hence, up-to-date information is vital for better treatment and interventions and may support national and international HIV strategies and eradication programs. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the magnitude of OIs and determine factors associated with among people living with HIV/AIDs on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in a selected public hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 June and 30 August 2022 by interviewing HIV patients and reviewing case record files using a validated questionnaire containing sociodemographic, clinical, OIs history, behavioural and environmental characteristics. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with OIs at the significance level of a=0.05. RESULT: The magnitude of OIs among people living with HIV was 37.1% (95% CI=31.6-42.2); major identified OIs were pulmonary tuberculosis 8.2%, Diarrhoea 7.9%, and Pneumonia 4.3%. Based on Multivariable logistic regression drinking non-sterilized water [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.395, 95% CI: 2.010-4.168], living with domestic animals (AOR=4.012, 95% CI: 1.651-4.123), Co-morbidity of chronic disease (AOR=2.910, 95% CI: 1.761-3.450), and poor ART adherence (AOR=3.121, 95% CI: 1.532-6.309) were factors associated with OIs. CONCLUSION: Human immune deficient virus patients in Mogadishu, Somalia, suffer from OIs. The OIs reduction strategies should improve drinking water sanitation, provide special consideration for those living with domestic animals and those with a co-morbid chronic disease, and improve ART adherence.