PAN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES
e-ISSN: 2672-5924
Volume 9, No. 2, August 2025
Pages 411-417
DOI: 10.36108/pajols/5202/90.0220
Evaluation of Haematological Parameters in Different Stages of HIV Positive Patients in Southwest Nigeria
Ifeoluwa A. Akinbola1, Ibukun O. Akinbola2, Olufemi E. Folaranmi3, Christianah A. Adigun4, Joseph B. Akano5 , Abiodun L. Lawal6, Kehinde J. Olufemi-Aworinde1*.
1Department of Haematology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
3Department of Haematology, Ekiti State University and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
5Department of Haematology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
6Department of Haematology, Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Haematological abnormalities are common in Human Immunodeficiency (HIV)-positive individuals and can significantly affect their health and well-being. Haematological profiles are one of the cheapest investigations that can be done in a resource-poor country like Nigeria, which can give a high index of suspicion of other comorbidities in HIV posi-tive patients. Understanding these variations in haematological profiles is crucial for optimizing patients ‘ care and treatment outcomes in this population. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the haematological profiles of individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Ethical considerations were adhered to, with a sample size of 127 selected using a simple random sampling technique. Blood samples were collected to analyse haematological parameters using a haematology analyser, which measured them using the electrical impedance method. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as the survey instrument for the socio-demographic and clinical data. Statistical data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
Results: The majority of the participants in this study were aged between 40-49 years (43.3%) with male to female ratio of about 1:2. The majority of the study population, 83% and 70% had lymphocytosis and neutropaenia respectively. Also, most cases (86.6%) had normal red blood cell count, while 22.8% had anaemia. However, the majority (70.1%) of the study pop-ulation had reduced mean cell haemoglobin concentration, with mean cell haemoglobin (18.1%) and mean corpuscular vol-ume (28.3%) being marginally low. 34.6% of the population had thrombocytosis. There was a significant association be-tween red blood cell count and WHO staging of HIV, p=0.000.
Conclusion: Key haematological abnormalities, particularly lymphocytosis and neutropenia, were common in HIV-positive individuals in this Nigerian study. The significant association between red blood cell count and WHO staging highlights the value of haematological profiles in managing HIV in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: Anaemia, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Haematological Parameters.