Prevalence of Hyperglycaemia and Associated Factors Among People Living with HIV in Eastern Uganda: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

HIV patients have increased life expectancy due to access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, with increasing age comes an increased risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The prevalence of hyperglycaemia among HIV patients and associated risk factors has not been extensively studied in the rural parts of Uganda. Thus, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperglycaemia among HIV-positive patients in Eastern Uganda and its associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted at two healthcare facilities between March and July 2023. We recruited HIV patients (18 years and older) on ART attending the HIV Clinic during the study. Data were captured on the clinical, socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression. We included 400 participants, majority n = 261 (65.3%) females. The majority aged between 25 and 49 years, 206 (51.5%). Most, 351 (87.7%), had spent more than 5 years on ART, with the majority, 379 (94.7%), virally suppressed. Most were on the dolutegravir-based ART regimen, 369 (92.2%). The prevalence of hyperglycaemia was 12.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the factors associated with hyperglycaemia were being older than 50 years of age, being on a protease-based ART regimen, family history of T2DM, family history of hypertension and BMI > 25 kg/m2. The magnitude of hyperglycaemia among patients with HIV was high, with half unaware of its presence, warranting collaborative efforts to improve screening and better clinical management strategies for hyperglycaemia patients.