Proportion of Visceral Leishmaniasis and Human Immune Deficiency Virus Co- Infection among Clinically Confirmed Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients at the Endemic Foci of the Amhara National Regional State, North-West Ethiopia

In East Africa, especially in Ethiopia, the proportion of VL patients with HIV co-infection has increased, despite a decline in the numbers of co-infected patients in Europe. The Metema and Humera lowland areas in the north-west are particularly associated with high HIV co-infection rates, ranging from 18% to 31% of the cases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the proportion of VL/HIV co- infection among clinically confirmed VL patients in the endemic foci of the Amhara Region. Institutional based cross- sectional study was conducted from February to July, 2013 on the proportion of VL/HIV co- infection among clinically confirmed VL patients. For the study, a total of 409 participants who were clinically confirmed VL patients were participated in four selected endemic foci (Libokemkem, Belessa, Metema and west Armachiho). Proportionate allocation was used to determine the number of patients involved in each selected endemic foci. Of the 409 clinically confirmed VL patients, the overall proportion of VL/ HIV co-infection was 74 (18.1%). Among the VL endemic foci, proportion of VL/ HIV co- infection was highest in Abdrafi 69 (93.2%) followed by Metema 5 (6.8 %.). However, in Addis Zemen and Belessa showed nil (0 %). Among the study participants, males were more VL/HIV co-infected 74 (19.4%) than females (0%) (P < 0.012) and the age groups from 21-35 were the highest infected group 68 (16.6%) (P<0. 001). Moreover, those patients who came from rural areas were more VL/ HIV co-infected 46 (35.1%) than urban dwellers 28 (23.1%) (P< 0. 001). Furthermore, daily labourers were the highest infected group 60 (57.1%) (P < 0.001) and those who had no formal education had more VL/HIV co-infected 62 (24.6%) (P < 0.001) than those who had formal education. The overall proportion of VL/ HIV co-infection was still high and among the VL endemic foci, proportion of VL/ HIV co- infection was highest in Abdrafi followed by Metema. However, in Addis Zemen and Belessa showed nil. Therefore, face to face health education is mandatory to create awareness about VL, HIV and VL/HIV co –infection and its consequence at the Kebele level.