Prevalence and Predictors of Hypovitaminosis D in Ethiopian HIV-Infected Adults

Abebe Muche Belete,1 Alemu Adela Tefera,1 Mekasha Getnet,2 Adisu Asefa,1 Yared Asmare Aynalem,2 Wondimeneh Shibabaw Shiferaw2 1Biomedical Department, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia; 2Department of Nursing, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Abebe Muche Belete Email abebemuche3@gmail.comBackground: Hypovitaminosis D is associated with bone fracture and cardiovascular disease in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Currently, there are few data on the magnitude of hypovitaminosis D in people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan country. Therefore, the present study determines the magnitude of hypovitaminosis D in people living with HIV and its associated factors in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 171 adult people living with HIV at Debre Berhan Specialized Hospital. Serum vitamin D was measured. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and p-value < 0.05 was used to identify the associated factors of hypovitaminosis D.Results: In the present study, the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 129/171 (75.4%), with 11/171 (6.4%) having vitamin D deficiency and 118/171 (69%) having vitamin D insufficiency. Female sex was significantly associated with hypovitaminosis D (AOR: 3.01, 95% CI = 1.381– 6.561, P = 0.006).Conclusion: Our study found a high burden of hypovitaminosis D among adult people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. Female sex was associated with hypovitaminosis D.Keywords: vitamin D, HIV, antiretroviral therapy, Ethiopia