Abstract

Zoonotic opportunistic infections (OIs) are of the causes a major life-threatening condition in HIV/AIDS patients. In Ethiopia, OIs are the leading cause of death among people who have HIV. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Hewane, Korem and Alalmata districts from October 2012 to May 2013 to observe the occurrence of concurrent OIs such as tuberculosis, cryptosporidium, candidiasis and toxoplasmosis in HIV patients; to determine the association between possible risk factors and the human-animal interface responsible for development of OIs. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants and questionnaire was administered. A total of 651 HIV/AIDS patients and of which 300 (46.1%) were affected by OIs. Pregnancy (χ2 = 11.7; P = 0.0001), educational status (χ2 = 20.6; P = 0.0001), occupation (χ2 = 19.8; P = 0.001), raw milk consumption (χ2 = 32.14; P = 0.0001), raw meat consumption (χ2 = 16.82; P = 0.0001), regular contact with animals (χ2 = 7.83; P = 0.005) and the diabetic mellitus status (χ2 = 23.1; P =0.0001) were found to have significant statistical association with the detection of OIs in patients. In conclusion, OIs are of the causes a major life-threatening condition. Unrecognized, unknown and denied risk behaviors for OIs can pose major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to clinicians in Ethiopia. In views of the above conclusion; recommendations were suggested for possible control and prevention measures of OIs. Awareness about OIs should be created to HIV patients. All HIV-infected persons at risk for infection with OIs must be carefully evaluated and, if indicated, administered therapy to prevent the progression of latent infection to active disease and avoid the complications associated with HIV-related OIs. All HIV-infected patients undergoing treatment for OIs should be evaluated for antiretroviral therapy.

Key words: Candidiasis, Cryptosporidium, HIV/AIDS patients, Opportunistic infections, Risk factors, Toxoplasmosis, Tuberculosis