Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and associated risk factors among people living with HIV receiving HAART in primary healthcare centers in Abuja, Nigeria
1
1. Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Abuja And University Of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada / Abuja, Nigeria
2
2. Primary Health Care Department, Kwali Area Council, Kwali / Abuja, Nigeria
3
3. College Of Medicine And Health Sciences, Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria
4
4. Primary Health Care Department, Fed. Capital Territory Primary Health Care Board, Abuja, Nigeria
5
5. Emergency Department, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
6
6. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada / Abuja, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
People living with HIV (PLWHIV) live longer because highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is effective.1 However, PLWHIV have an increased risk of developing non-communicable disease (NCD) comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes.2, 3 This study assessed the baseline prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, along with their risk factors, among PLWHIV receiving HAART at selected Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).
METHODS:
The team conducted a cross-sectional study in July/August 2025 at six PHCs selected with a multistage sampling technique in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were collected from 225 randomly sampled PLWHIV using a questionnaire, physical measurements, and point-of-care glucometers. World Health Organization criteria were used to diagnose hypertension and diabetes. 4, 5 Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 29, with statistical significance at p ≤ 0.05. The Federal Capital Territory Health Research Ethics Committee approved the study, and all participants provided written informed consent.
RESULTS:
The participants’ mean age ± standard deviation was 38.1 ± 10.4, and mostly females (68.9%). Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were 49.8% and 42.7% respectively. The risk factors associated with hypertension were: diabetes, family history of hypertension/diabetes, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of elevated cholesterol, previous diagnosis of elevated cholesterol, gender (all at p-value <0.001), mean age (p-value = 0.002), and insufficient physical activity (p-value = 0.05). The risk factors associated with diabetes were: hypertension, family history of hypertension/diabetes, family history of elevated cholesterol, and previous diagnosis of elevated Cholesterol (all at p-value <0.001), alcohol consumption (p-value = 0.003), and tobacco smoking (p-value = 0.018).
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrated a high burden of hypertension and diabetes among PLWHIV and described the associated risk factors. We recommend routine screening of PLWHIV for hypertension/diabetes and integrating treatment with HIV care at the PHCs, a strategy to control hypertension/diabetes among PLWHIV.
People living with HIV (PLWHIV) live longer because highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is effective.1 However, PLWHIV have an increased risk of developing non-communicable disease (NCD) comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes.2, 3 This study assessed the baseline prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, along with their risk factors, among PLWHIV receiving HAART at selected Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs).
METHODS:
The team conducted a cross-sectional study in July/August 2025 at six PHCs selected with a multistage sampling technique in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were collected from 225 randomly sampled PLWHIV using a questionnaire, physical measurements, and point-of-care glucometers. World Health Organization criteria were used to diagnose hypertension and diabetes. 4, 5 Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 29, with statistical significance at p ≤ 0.05. The Federal Capital Territory Health Research Ethics Committee approved the study, and all participants provided written informed consent.
RESULTS:
The participants’ mean age ± standard deviation was 38.1 ± 10.4, and mostly females (68.9%). Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were 49.8% and 42.7% respectively. The risk factors associated with hypertension were: diabetes, family history of hypertension/diabetes, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, family history of elevated cholesterol, previous diagnosis of elevated cholesterol, gender (all at p-value <0.001), mean age (p-value = 0.002), and insufficient physical activity (p-value = 0.05). The risk factors associated with diabetes were: hypertension, family history of hypertension/diabetes, family history of elevated cholesterol, and previous diagnosis of elevated Cholesterol (all at p-value <0.001), alcohol consumption (p-value = 0.003), and tobacco smoking (p-value = 0.018).
CONCLUSIONS:
This study demonstrated a high burden of hypertension and diabetes among PLWHIV and described the associated risk factors. We recommend routine screening of PLWHIV for hypertension/diabetes and integrating treatment with HIV care at the PHCs, a strategy to control hypertension/diabetes among PLWHIV.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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