10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

HIV-malnutrition interactions significantly influence the course of the disease and mortality. Although Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) improves clinical outcomes, very little is known about its effect on the nutritional and clinical status of HIV-positive individuals in Ghana. This study compared the nutritional, haematological, and biochemical profiles of HAART-naïve and HAART-treated adults in the Ashanti region of Ghana. To assess the impact of HAART on Nutritional Deficiencies and Anaemia among HIV-Infected adults in Kumasi, Ghana. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 287 confirmed HIV-positive participants: 108 were HAART-naïve and 179 were on HAART. Data collected included socio-demographics, anthropometry, hematological parameters, CD4 assessments and biochemical indices. Data entry and statistical analyses were done with SPSS 20.0, while significance was set at p<0.05. Correlations between the variables was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Anaemia prevalence was significantly higher among HAART-naïve participants compared to those on HAART (82.5% vs. 54.7%, p<0.0001), and severe anaemia (Grades 2 & 3) occurred only in the naïve group (30.6%). Microcytic hypochromic anaemia, indicative of iron deficiency, occurred only in HAART-naïve participants (29.2%). Hypozincemia was higher in naïve subjects (67.6% vs. 15.6%, p<0.0001) and hypoalbuminemia higher in naïve participants (40.7% vs. 10.1%, p<0.0001). Haemoglobin positively correlated with CD4 count (r=0.23, p<0.05) and albumin (r=0.30, p<0.01) in HAART-naïve participants and BMI negatively correlated with haemoglobin in both cohorts (Naïve: r=-0.21, p<0.05; HAART: r=-0.23, p<0.01). HAART is associated with improved haematological and biochemical nutritional markers in HIV-positive Ghanaians. Strong correlations between immunological, nutritional, and haematological markers in HAART-naïve patients highlight interrelated pathophysiology that is improved by treatment. Our findings stress the need for integration of regular nutritional assessment and interventions into routine HIV care.