Abstract:
Background: We characterized baseline laboratory data of patients to identify priority treatment
areas, most affected populations, anticipated clinical complications and assessed the potential
burden of retention in care in Jos, Plateau State—North Central Nigeria. Methods: This study was a
cross-sectional design from January 2004 to December 2005 at Faith Alive Foundation (FAF). All
participants were HIV-positive and underwent pre-antiretroviral therapy counseling based on the
national antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines and baseline laboratory testing. Data were captured
on Microsoft Excel, validated on Epi Info and analyzed on SPSS version 21 at P < .05 level of
significance. Results: Total of 1499 (463 men and 1036 women) participants were evaluated in
this study. The age and sex related distribution of participants showed that majority (80.3% for
males and 92.5% for females) were 16 - 45 years old. Amylase and creatinine were significantlyhigher in males than females (P = .02). Anaemia was the most common baseline abnormality (63%
for females and 58% for males), while baseline CD4 count was significantly lower in males than
females (P < .02) and at one-third had elevated liver enzymes (AST and ALT). Conclusion: The
baseline laboratory profile of most HIV positive patients in Jos and environs of North Central–Nigeria
was characterized by anaemia, elevated creatinine, and abnormal liver transaminase levels
(AST and ALT). This pre-ART laboratory result suggests that HIV-positive individuals have multiple
clinical abnormalities which may require more extensive care than just treating the HIV disease.
