Predictors of AIDS-defining and Non-AIDS-defining Cancers Among PLHIV Accessing Services in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2025-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Science Publishing Group
Abstract
Human infection with HIV compromises the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight viral infections that may
promote the development of certain types of cancers. The diagnosis of AIDS-defining cancers in PLHIV indicates the
progression of an HIV infection to the AIDS stage. Non-AIDS-defining cancers occur in HIV-positive individuals without
necessarily being caused or exacerbated by HIV infection. WHO estimates that 39.9 million are PLHIV, whereas 42.3 million
lives have been lost to HIV. Kenya’s HIV prevalence was 3.3% and in Nairobi, 4.3%. NCD mortalities in Kenya were 39%,
including cancers, up from 27% and HIV remains a major risk factor. This study’s main purpose was to identify the predictors of
AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers among PLHIV accessing services in selected hospitals in Nairobi City County,
Kenya. An analytical cross-sectional design was used. Study sites were purposively selected, whereas a simple random method
was used to select 406 adults, aged 18 years and above, HIV positive and on ART. The study was conducted in seven selected
facilities in Nairobi County. Quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, whereas qualitative data were
obtained from seven key informant interviews and three focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics (percentages, graphs, and
charts) and inferential statistics (chi-square and logistic regression models) were performed using SPSS v. 27. Qualitative data
were transcribed, coded, and grouped into themes. AIDS-defining cancers were the most prevalent (74.6%) among PLHIV
accessing services in the selected hospitals. A Pearson’s Chi-square (X2) test revealed that socio-demographic characteristics
such as sex (p = 0.00), age in years (45-54 for AIDS-defining cancer and 65 and above for Non-AIDS-defining cancers) (p =
0.00), marital status (married and widowers for ADC and NADC, p = 0.02) and level of education (secondary and ‘other’ for
ADC and NADC respectively; p = 0.005) were associated with the type of cancer development among people living with HIV. A
binary logistic regression model found that age (χ2(5) = 14.96, p = 0.011), income level (X2 (5) = 9.96; p = 0.076), history of
cigarette smoking (B = 1.53; p = 0.001; OR = 4.638; 95% CI: 2.28 – 9.42), alcohol consumption (B = 0.295; p = 0.356), family
history of cancers (B = 1.04; p = 0.001; OR = 2.827; 95% CI: 1.61 – 4.97), were statistically associated with AIDS and
non-AIDS-defining cancers. These findings will help formulate programmatic and policy interventions for ADC and NADC
among PLHIV
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Citation
Omollo, P. O., Orago, A., & Mwanzo, I. (2025). Predictors of AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers among PLHIV accessing services in selected hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Science Journal of Public Health, 13(6), 354–368. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20251306.15