Burden and predictors of anxiety disorder among HIV patients on ART in Nairobi Kenya

Anxiety disorders are prevalent among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) globally, but data on the prevalence and factors associated with this mental illness are limited among HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Kenya. This study determined the prevalence and correlates of anxiety disorder among HIV patients receiving care and treatment at the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) in Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. This was a cross-sectional study where 205 eligible and consenting participants were systematically enrolled. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) Questionnaire was used to assess anxiety levels, with a score of 8 or more indicating moderate to severe anxiety. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information on factors associated with anxiety disorder. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze data. Of the enrolled 205 patients, 122 (59.5%) were female. The median age and household size were 49 years (Interquartile range IQR 39-54) and 3 people (IQR 2-3) respectively. A large proportion of the participants, 169 (82.4%) were on the first-line ART regimen and the median duration on ART was 13 years (IQR 7-18). Nearly a third of the participants 60 (29.3%) had anxiety disorder. Male participants (adjusted odds ratio-aOR 0.33; 95% confidence interval-CI 0.13-0.78) were less likely to have anxiety disorder. Self-employment (aOR 5.57; 95% CI 2.17-20.06), larger households (aOR 1.48; 95%CI 1.11-2.03) and no history of tuberculosis infection (aOR 2.9; 95% CI; 1.29-6.96) were factors associated with having anxiety disorder. Among PLHIV receiving ART in Nairobi County, Kenya, there is a considerable burden of anxiety disorder which was associated with gender, occupation, household population size and history of tuberculosis infection.