Asymptomatic HIV Infection and its Impact on Some Haematological Parameters in Iwocommunity, Southwestern Nigeria

The current national HIV data in Nigeria is based on the HIV seroprevalence among pregnant women but only little is known about HIV prevalence among non-pregnant adults. There is need to determine HIV prevalence at community level to establish the actual status of the infection for effective control measures. In the present study, the prevalence of asymptomatic HIV among adults and its effect on some haematological parameters were determined. A total of 1688 adult volunteers (861 males and 827 females) in Iwo community, Southwestern Nigeria, who seemingly appeared healthy were screened for the study after informed consent. Antibodies to HIV were determined and haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, total leucocyte and platelet counts were estimated using standard laboratory techniques. The prevalence of HIV in this study was 1.5%. Out of the 1688 subjects examined, 25 (1.5%) comprising 14 (1.7%) of 827 females and 11(1.3%) of 861 males were positive for HIV infection. There was no significant difference between the sexes (x = 0.47; df = 1; p > 0.05). 2 Mean values of haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, total leucocyte and platelet counts were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in HIV infected subjects (31.5±5.0%, 110.0±17.0 g/dL, 2.9±0.6x10 /L and 129.8±24.0x10 /L) 9 9 compared to non-infected subjects (38.8±4.1%, 134.0±14.0 g/L, 5.3±2.2x10 /L and 164.8±29.5x10 /L). 9 9 Asymptomatic HIV prevalence rate among male and female adults is low in the study area and have significant negative impact on blood cells.