Prevalence and determinants of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy amongst people living with HIV/AIDS in a rural setting in south-south Nigeria.

Adherence to HAART is necessary to achieve the best virologic response and lower the risk of drug resistance amongst People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). However, there is limited documentation of adherence amongst patients on HAART in the south-south region of Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of adherence to HAART amongst PLHIV in a rural setting in Cross River State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 patients on HAART attending the Heart to Heart centre Ugep using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Adherence was measured via self report and patients were termed adherent if they took at least 95% of prescribed doses. The self reported adherence rate based on a one week recall was 50.4%. The main reason for skipping doses were being busy (50.6%), simply forgetting to take medications (43.8%) and religious constraints (16%). Perceived improved health status [OR 2.7; CI: 1.37-5.39], Non use of herbal remedies, [OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.23- 2.64] and ARV regimens devoid of dietary instructions [OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.07- 2.06] were significant predictors of adherence. The adherence rate reported in this study was low. Appropriate adherence enhancing intervention strategies targeted at use of simplified ARV regimens and discouraging herbal use is strongly recommended.

Modeling covariates of self-perceived and epidemiologic notions of risk for acquiring STIs/HIV among military personnel: a comparative analysis.

This study examined the socio-demographic and selected behavioral characteristics associated with self-perceived and epidemiologic notions of risk for acquiring STIs/HIV infection using data from a cross-sectional survey involving 346 consenting female military personnel from two cantonments in Southwestern Nigeria. Findings revealed significant discordance in participants' risk status based on the two assessment methods, with Kappa coefficients ranging from -0.021 to 0.115. Using epidemiologic assessment as the "gold standard", 45.4% of the study population were able to accurately assess their risk levels through self-perception with significant (P < 0.01) socio-demographic variations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicate that STIs/HIV risk models using both self-perceived and epidemiologic notions of risk were significantly determined by different set of covariates. It is recommended that STIs/HIV prevention intervention should integrate the identified covariates and be targeted at changing individual risk behaviors and perceptions, as well as the social contexts in which risky behaviors occur in the military population.

Knowledge and utilization of the partograph among midwives in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge and utilization of the partograph among midwives in two tertiary health facilities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was utilized, using a structured questionnaire administered to 165 midwives purposively selected from the Federal Medical Center (FMC) (79) and Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) (86). Results revealed that 84% of midwives knew what the partograph was and 92.7% indicated that the use of the partograph reduces maternal and child mortality. About 50.6% midwives in FMC and 98.8% in NDUTH indicated that it was routinely utilized in their centers. Assessment of utilized partograph charts revealed that only 18 (37.5%) out of 48 in FMC and 17 (32.6%) out of 52 in NDUTH were properly filled. Factors in the utilization of the partograph were:-non-availability of the partograph (30.3%), shortage of staff (19.4%), little or no knowledge in the use of the partograph (22.2%), and 8.6 percent indicated it was time consuming. A significant relationship existed between knowledge of the partograph and its utilization (chi2 = 32.298. Df = 1; P < 0.05) and between midwives years of experience and its utilization (chi2 = 4.818, Df = 4; P < 0.05). However, this study also showed that despite midwives good knowledge of the partograph, there was poor utilization in labor monitoring in both centers. Training of midwives on the use of the partograph with periodic workshops and seminars and a mandatory hospital policy are recommended and vital to the safety of women in labor in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Obstructed labour in resource-poor settings: the need for revival of symphysiotomy in Nigeria.

Symphysiotomy is an operation in which the fibres of the pubic symphysis are partially divided to allow separation of the joint and thus enlargement of the pelvic dimensions thereby facilitating vaginal delivery of the foetus in the presence of mild to moderate cephalopelvic disproportion. It is performed with local anaesthesia, does not require an operating theatre or advanced surgical skills. It can be a lifesaving procedure for both mother and baby in obstructed labour, especially in rural areas and resource-poor settings of developing countries, where a 24 hours availability of a caesarean section cannot be guaranteed. It is a simple underused technology that can be performed by a graduate doctor or midwife in rural health facilities and hospitals where most of the times, in Nigeria, there are no practicing specialist obstetricians. In rural hospital and in communities where sympysiotomy is still being performed, it is evident that it is preferred to caesarean section because of the socio-cultural desire to achieve a vaginal delivery. This paper highlights our experiences with symphysiotomy in a rural Roman Catholic hospital providing evidence on the safety of symphysiotomy and the need for its revival and reinstatement in the obstetric arsenal in Nigeria and similar countries in sub-Saharan Africa where maternal mortality as a result of prolonged and neglected obstructed labour still occur.

Correlates of HIV knowledge and sexual risk behaviors among female military personnel.

Uniformed services personnel are at an increased risk of HIV infection. We examined the HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual risk behaviors among female military personnel to determine the correlates of HIV risk behaviors in this population. The study used a cross-sectional design to examine HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual risk behaviors in a sample of 346 females drawn from two military cantonments in Southwestern Nigeria. Data was collected between 2006 and 2008. Using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, HIV/AIDS knowledge and sexual behaviors were described in relation to socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that level of education and knowing someone infected with HIV/AIDS were significant (P < 0.05) predictors of HIV knowledge in this sample. HIV prevention self-efficacy was significantly (P < 0.05) predicted by annual income and race/ethnicity. Condom use attitudes were also significantly (P < 0.05) associated with number of children, annual income, and number of sexual partners. Data indicates the importance of incorporating these predictor variables into intervention designs.

Routine HIV testing in health care settings: the deterrent factors to maximal implementation in sub-Saharan Africa.

The sub-Saharan region of Africa is the most severely affected HIV/AIDS region in the world. The population of this region accounts for 67% of all people living with HIV/AIDS and 72% of all AIDS-related deaths. As international collaboration makes access to HIV treatment more widely available in this region the need to increase the population's awareness of its serostatus becomes greater. The incorporation of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (routine HIV testing model) as part of a routine medical care would not only increase the population's serostatus awareness but also lead to a better understanding of HIV prevention and treatment and ultimately, increased utilization of available HIV/AIDS prevention programs on a much larger scale. This mini-review summarizes some important regional, sociocultural, economic, legal, and ethical issues that may be deterrent factors to maximal implementation and integration of provider initiated HIV testing and counseling as part of routine medical care in the sub-Saharan African region.

Regulation of [3H] D-aspartate release from mammalian isolated retinae by hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), can produce pharmacological effects on neural and non-neural tissues from several mammalian species. The present study investigates the pharmacological action of H(2)S, (using sodium hydrosulfide, NaHS, and/or sodium sulfide, Na(2)S as donors) on amino acid neurotransmission (using [(3)H] D: -aspartate as a marker for glutamate) from isolated, superfused bovine and porcine retinae. Isolated neural retinae were incubated in Krebs solution containing [(3)H] D: -aspartate at 37 degrees C. Release of [(3)H] D: -aspartate was elicited by high potassium (K(+) 50 mM) pulse. Both NaHS and Na(2)S donors caused an inhibition of K(+)-evoked [(3)H] D: -aspartate release from isolated bovine retinae without affecting basal [(3)H] D: -aspartate efflux yielding IC(50) values of 0.006 and 6 microm, respectively. Furthermore, NaHS inhibited depolarization-evoked release of [(3)H] D: -aspartate from isolated porcine retinae with an IC(50) value of 8 microM. The inhibitory action of NaHS on [(3)H] D: -aspartate release from porcine retinae was blocked by propargyglycine, a selective inhibitor of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). Our results indicate that H(2)S donors can inhibit amino acid neurotransmission from both isolated bovine and porcine retinae, an effect that is dependent, at least in part, on intramural biosynthesis of H(2)S.

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on sympathetic neurotransmission and catecholamine levels in isolated porcine iris-ciliary body.

In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological action of hydrogen sulfide (H2S, using sodium hydrosulfide, NaHS, and/or sodium sulfide, Na2S as donors) on sympathetic neurotransmission from isolated, superfused porcine iris-ciliary bodies. We also examined the effect of H2S on norepinephrine (NE), dopamine and epinephrine concentrations in isolated porcine anterior uvea. Release of [3H]NE was triggered by electrical field stimulation and basal catecholamine concentrations was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both NaHS and Na2S caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of electrically evoked [3H]NE release from porcine iris-ciliary body without affecting basal [3H]NE efflux. The inhibitory action of H2S donors on NE release was attenuated by aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) and propargyglycine (PAG), inhibitors of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), respectively. With the exception of dopamine, NaHS caused a concentration-dependent reduction in endogenous NE and epinephrine concentrations in isolated iris-ciliary bodies. We conclude that H2S can inhibit sympathetic neurotransmission from isolated porcine anterior uvea, an effect that is dependent, at least in part, on intramural biosynthesis of this gas. Furthermore, the observed action of H2S donors on sympathetic transmission may be due to a direct action of this gas on neurotransmitter pools.

HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Nigeria: review of research studies and future directions for prevention strategies.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and AIDS remain a major public health crisis in Nigeria which harbors more people living with HIV than any other country in the world, except South Africa and India. A significant challenge to the success of achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010 is HIV-AIDS stigma and discrimination. Eight studies looking at some degree of measurement of stigma and discrimination in Nigeria were reviewed in an attempt to investigate the cultural context of stigma, health seeking behavior and the role both perceived and community stigma play in HIV prevention. Results suggest that reducing stigma does increase the individual as well as community acceptance of people living with HIV-AIDS (PLWHAs), but long term studies are needed. Some suggestions are recommended for future research on culture specific stigma studies in Nigeria.

Predictors of chronic kidney disease among HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, South-South Nigeria.

Background: The burden of the people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is largely borne by communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of kidney disease is increasing amongst HIV patients and occurs more often in patients with advanced stage of the disease with lower CD4 counts and associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) amongst HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out over a 4-month period from May to August 2018. In all, a total of 118 patients with HIV on HAART were recruited into the study in a consecutive manner and their serum creatinine measured with the calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Other data collected were sex, age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), packed cell volume, CD4 count etcetera. Data collected were inputted and analyzed with SPSS version 18, and statistical significance was taken to be p<0.05. Results: There were more females (69.5%) amongst the HIV participants and the prevalence of CKD was 15.3%. The risk factors seen to be associated with CKD were lower levels of CD4 count below 200 cells/µl, lower PCV, weight, BMI, and eGFR. Also, higher levels of WHR and creatinine were associated with CKD. Factors directly correlated with CKD were weight, BMI and CD4 count levels, while creatinine level was inversely correlated with CKD. However, a logistic regression model showed only creatinine to be a predictor of CKD. Conclusion: HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy, mainly the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have a relatively high prevalence of CKD of 15.3% and high level of serum creatinine was predictive of CKD in the logistic regression model in our study.

Inhibitory action of hydrogen sulfide on muscarinic receptor-induced contraction of isolated porcine irides.

We investigated the pharmacological actions of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) using sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and sodium sulfide (Na(2)S) as donors on isolated porcine irides in the presence of tone induced by muscarinic receptor stimulation. Furthermore, we also investigated the mechanism of action of H(2)S in this smooth muscle. Isolated porcine iris muscle strips were set up in organ baths and prepared for measurement of longitudinal isometric tension. The relaxant action of NaHS or Na(2)S on carbachol-induced tone was studied in the absence and presence of a K(+)-channel inhibitor and inhibitors/activators of enzymes of the biosynthetic pathways for H(2)S, prostanoid and nitric oxide production. In the concentration range, 10 nM to 100 microM, NaHS produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of carbachol-induced tone reaching a maximum of inhibition of 28% at 30 microM. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor, flurbiprofen (1 microM), enhanced relaxations induced by both NaHS and Na(2)S yielding IC(50) values of 7 microM and 70 microM, respectively. With exception of l-NAME (300 muM) inhibitors of cystathionine gamma-lyase, propargylglycine, (PAG) (1 mM) and beta-cyanoalanine, (BCA) (1 mM) and inhibitors of cystathionine beta-synthase, aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) (30 microM) and hydroxylamine (HOA) (30 microM) caused significant (P < 0.001) rightward shifts in the concentration-response curves to NaHS. An activator of cystathionine beta-synthase, SAM (100 microM), enhanced relaxations elicited by low concentrations of NaHS but attenuated responses caused by the higher concentrations of this H(2)S donor. The inhibitor of K(ATP) channel, glibenclamide (100 and 300 microM), blocked relaxations induced by NaHS. We conclude that the observed inhibitory action of NaHS and Na(2)S in isolated porcine irides is dependent on endogenous production of prostanoids and the biosynthesis of H(2)S by cystathionine gamma-lyase and cystathionine beta-synthase. Furthermore, relaxation induced by H(2)S is mediated, at least in part, by K(ATP) channels. Nitric oxide is not involved in the relaxation induced by this gas in the isolated porcine irides.

Racial variance in rationale for HIV testing in community-based setting in the United States: evidence from the National Health Interview Survey.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing varies across racial/ethnic groups in the United States, but it is unclear whether the rationale for testing differs as well racially. The authors aimed to assess the rationale for HIV testing and the racial/ethnic variation therein. METHODS: Using the National Health Interview Survey 2003 (n = 29 753), the authors examined the association between rationale for HIV testing and race. Chi-square statistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to test for racial differences and the effect of race/ethnicity on the rationale for HIV testing. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant racial difference with respect to HIV testing rationale, chi(2) = (24, N = 10,481) = 808.9, P < .001. After adjustment for relevant covariates, compared with Caucasians, African Americans were 37% less likely to be tested due to exposure to sex/drugs, whereas Hispanics were not (prevalence risk ratio [PRR], 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47-0.84, respectively). Likewise African Americans and Hispanics were less likely to be tested if they were sick or had a medical problem (PRR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.44-0.99 and PRR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.43-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial racial variation occurred in the reasons for being tested for HIV in the United States, indicative of the need to understand such rationale for effective HIV screening and testing.

Antenatal Deworming and Materno-Perinatal Outcomes in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that administration of anthelmintic drugs in pregnancy can reduce the incidence of maternal anaemia; however, data on other maternal and perinatal outcomes are limited. AIM: This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the direct impact of mass deworming on delivery and perinatal outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 560 healthy pregnant women in their second trimester were randomised to receive a single dose of oral mebendazole (500 mg) and placebo. Each participant received the standard dose of iron supplement and malaria prophylaxis. They were followed up to delivery and immediate postpartum period to document the possible impact on maternal and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of anaemia at term, 37 weeks gestation and above, among the treatment arm was 12.6% compared with 29.9% in the placebo arm (p < 0.001). Caesarean section rates was higher in the treated group and the placebo (p = 0.047). There were no statistically significant differences in incidences of postpartum haemorrhage (p = 0.119), Puerperal, pyrexia (p = 0.943), low birth weight (p = 0.556) asphyxia (p = 0.706) and perinatal death (p = 0.621). CONCLUSION: Presumptive deworming during the antenatal period can significantly reduce the incidence of peripartum anaemia. However, more studies may be needed to prove any positive perinatal outcome.

Trend and Causes of Maternal Mortality in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A 5-year Retrospective Study (2010-2014) at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality ratios (MMR) are still unacceptably high in many low-income countries especially in sub-Saharan Africa. MMR had been reported to have improved from an initial 3,026 per 100,000 live births in 1999 to 941 in 2009, at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. Post-partum haemorrhage and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy have been the common causes of maternal deaths in the facility. AIM: This study was aimed at determining the trend in maternal mortality in the same facility, following institution of some facility-based intervention measures. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study design was utilised with extraction and review of medical records of pregnancy-related deaths in UCTH, Calabar, from January 2010 to December 2014. The beginning of the review period coincided with the period the "Woman Intervention Trial" was set up to reduce maternal mortality in the facility. This trial consists of the use of Tranexamic acid for prevention of post-partum haemorrhage, as well as more proactive attendance to parturition. RESULTS: There were 13,605 live births and sixty-one (61) pregnancy-related deaths in UCTH during the study period. This yielded a facility Maternal Mortality Ratio of 448 per 100,000 live births. In the previous 11-year period of review, there was sustained the decline in MMR by 72.9% in the initial four years (from 793 in 2010 to 215 in 2013), with the onset of resurgence to 366 in the last year (2014). Mean age at maternal death was 27 ± 6.5 years, with most subjects (45, 73.8%) being within 20-34 years age group. Forty-eight (78.7%) were married, 26 (42.6%) were unemployed, and 33 (55.7%) had at least secondary level of education. Septic abortion (13, 21.3%) and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (10, 16.4%) were the leading causes of death. Over three quarters (47, 77.0%) had not received care from any health facility. Most deaths (46, 75.5%) occurred between 24 and 97 hours of admission. CONCLUSION: Compared with previous trends, there has been a significant improvement in maternal mortality ratio in the study setting. There is also a significant change in the leading cause of maternal deaths, with septic abortion and hypertensive disease of pregnancy now replacing post-partum haemorrhage and puerperal sepsis that was previously reported. This success may be attributable to the institution of the Woman trial intervention which is still ongoing in other parts of the world. There is, however, need to sustain effort at a further reduction in MMR towards the attainment of set sustainable development goals (SDGs), through improvement in the provision of maternal health services in low-income countries.

Female genital mutilation: potential for HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa and prospect for epidemiologic investigation and intervention.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which involves alteration of the female genitalia for non-medical grounds is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, associated with long-term genitourinary complications, and possible HIV transmission. This mini-review aims to examine FGM and the possibility of HIV transmission through this procedure. We performed an electronic search using Medline for articles published between 1966 to 2006 for evidence of FGM practice, its complications, and the nexus between this procedure and HIV sero-positivity. The results indicate ongoing FGM practice, albeit prevalence reduction, due probably to the increasing knowledge of the consequences of FGM as a result of non-sterile techniques. Secondly, the complications of FGM are well established which include Genitourinary disorders. Further, while data is limited on HIV transmission via FGM, there is biologic plausibility in suggesting that FGM may be associated with increasing prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper recommends further studies in order to assess the association between FGM and HIV transmission.

Factors Influencing Antenatal Haematinics Prescription Behaviour of Physicians in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Routine iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnancy have been proved to be effective in reducing the prevalence and morbidities of anaemia. However, there is limited data regarding the prescription habits of physician obstetric care givers. AIM: This study set to investigate the attitudes and factors which influence the practice among physicians in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly recruited physician offering antenatal services between August and September 2015. Systemic sampling was used to select 70 doctors in the departmental duty roster. Data were presented in percentages and proportion. Chi-square test was used to test the association between variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The response rate was 100%. The mean age of the respondents was 30.26 ± 6.67 years. All the respondents routinely prescribed haematinics to pregnant women but 34.3% of them did not prescribe to apparently healthy clients in their first trimester. Only 30% and 11.4% of them prescribed it in the postnatal and preconception periods respectively. Brands that contained iron, folate and vitamins as a single capsule were mostly favoured, and information about brands of drugs was mostly provided by the pharmaceutical sales representatives. Younger doctors were more likely to offer haematinics with nutritional counselling compared to older respondents. However, there was no significant relationship between haematinics prescription and sex (p = 0.3560), Age (p = 0.839), current professional status (p = 0.783), and client complaint of side effect of medication (p = 0.23). Oral medication was mostly utilised. CONCLUSION: Effort to effectively control anaemia in pregnancy should involve re-orientation of physician obstetric care providers especially about prenatal and postnatal medication and counselling.

Effect of Free Maternal Health Care Program on Health-seeking Behaviour of Women during Pregnancy, Intra-partum and Postpartum Periods in Cross River State of Nigeria: A Mixed Method Study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing the percentage of maternal health service utilization in health facilities, through cost-removal policy is important in reducing maternal deaths. The Cross River State Government of Nigeria introduced a cost-removal policy in 2009, under the umbrella of "PROJECT HOPE" where free maternal health services are provided. Since its inception, there has been no formal evaluation of its effectiveness. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the effect of the free maternal health care program on the health care-seeking behaviours of pregnant women in Cross River State, Nigeria. METHOD: A mixed method approach (quantitative and qualitative methods) was used to describe the effect of free maternal health care intervention. The quantitative component uses data on maternal health service utilisation obtained from PROJECT HOPE and Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. The qualitative part uses Focus Group Discussions to examine women's perception of the program. RESULTS: Results suggest weak evidence of change in maternal health care service utilization, as 95% Confidence Intervals overlap even though point estimate suggest increase in utilization. Results of quantitative data show increase in the percentage of women accessing maternal health services. This increase is greater than the population growth rate of Cross River State which is 2.9%, from 2010 to 2013. This increase is likely to be a genuine increase in maternal health care utilisation. Qualitative results showed that women perceived that there have been increases in the number of women who utilize Antenatal care, delivery and Post Partum Care at health facilities, following the removal of direct cost of maternal health services. There is urban and rural differences as well as between communities closer to health facility and those further off. Perceived barriers to utilization are indirect cost of service utilization, poor information dissemination especially in rural areas, perceived poor quality of care at facilities including drug and consumables stock-outs, geographical barriers, inadequate health work force, and poor attitude of skilled health workers and lack of trust in the health system. CONCLUSION: Reasons for Maternal health care utilisation even under a cost-removal policy is multi-factorial. Therefore, in addition to fee-removal, the government must be committed to addressing other deterrents so as to significantly increase maternal health care service utilisation.

Predictors of hypertension in an urban HIV-infected population at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has remarkably improved the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, at the expense of the development of long-term complications such as cardiovascular and renal diseases. Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and its associated mortality. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of HTN and to identify possible predictors among HIV-infected patients attending the HIV Special Treatment Clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out over a 5-month period from February to July 2016. A total of 112 HIV-infected persons were consecutively recruited and their blood pressures were measured in two consecutive clinic visits. They were compared with the HIV-negative control group (n=309). Data collected were analyzed with SPSS 18, and statistical significance was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: There was a female preponderance in both the HIV-infected individuals and HIV-negative control group (57.5% vs. 57.4%). The mean ages were 39.3 and 33.9 years in HIV-infected and HIV-negative subjects, respectively. The risk factors that were associated with HTN in both groups were older age (>40 years), increased weight and body mass index (BMI), and presence of obesity. Male sex and duration of exposure to HAART and CD4 count levels >200 cells/mm3 were associated with HTN in HIV-infected patients, whereas the absence of family history of HTN was significantly associated with HTN in both groups. However, in a multivariate logistic regression, the predictors of HTN in both groups are absence of family history of HTN and older age in HIV-infected patients and HIV-negative subjects, respectively. CONCLUSION: Traditional risk factors such as older age, increased BMI, and obesity were linked to HTN in both HIV-infected and HIV-negative subjects, but higher CD4 count level and cumulative HAART exposure were associated with HTN in HIV-positive individuals. In a multivariate logistic regression, the predictors of HTN in both groups are absence of family history of HTN and older age in HIV-infected patients and HIV-negative subjects, respectively.