Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity, Comorbidities, and Associated Factors among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS on ART in Two Treatment Centers in the Fako Division, Cameroon: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The double burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with non-communicable disease is a public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. A study was conducted among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes and their risk factors in two HIV treatment centers in the Fako division, Cameroon.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the Regional Hospitals of Buea and Limbe, in the Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon between June 1st, 2024 to August 31st, 2024. We included 464 persons living with HIV/AIDS. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a questionnaire. A 24-hour dietary diversity was assessed using a questionnaire. Blood glucose level, blood pressure, and anthropometric data were recorded to determine the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and overweight/obesity. A chi-square test was used to test the association between categorical variables and a multiple logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors that were independently associated with overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results: The study comprised 464 adults aged 18 to 78 years with a mean age of 48.80 ± 11.67 years. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes among the participants were 62.5%, 25%, and 14% respectively. Factors significantly associated with overweight/obesity were females (aOR: 2.36; CI: (1.48-3.78); p=0.001), age group (50- 65 years) (aOR: 2.41; CI: (1.13-5.17); p=0.024), persons lacking HIV-related symptoms (aOR:3.36; CI:(1.49-7.56); p=0.003) and those who do not smoke. Hypertension was significantly associated with the study site of the participants while diabetes was significantly associated with the duration of ART and marital status.

Conclusion: There is a high burden of overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in PLWHA in two treatment centers in Fako Division. The expansion of HIV treatment programs must prioritize the initiation and strengthening of interventions aimed at minimizing preventable comorbidities and reducing the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).