Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common, non-specific manifestations of neurological illnesses associated with HIV infection. With regular HIV care and management the prevalence of epilepsy could be reduced to 2%-4%, otherwise it increased to 20%. Epilepsy is associated with infections of the brain and with neurological deficits due to direct effects of the neurotropic virus and other HIV complications.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of epilepsy among HIV seropositive children in public health facilities of Mekelle city. 

Method: A facility based cross sectional study was carried out in public health facilities of Mekelle city, Tigray, North Ethiopia. Two hundred twenty two HIV infected children were recruited using systematic random sampling. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the associated factors of epilepsy. Variables with P-value<0.25 in binary logistic regression were transferred to multivariable logistic regression and variables with P-value less than 0.05 at 95% level of significance were considered as significantly associated.

Result: The study revealed that prevalence of HIV associated epilepsy was 5%, 95% CI (2.789-8.653). Most (99.1%) of the respondents were acquired the infection from their mother. Ten (90.91%) of the respondents were in WHO clinical stages of III and IV, 72.7% had CD4 count <200 cells/ml, 63.6% had HIV complication, 36.45 were not started ART, 27.3% had risk factors and 18.2% had history of epilepsy. Place of residence, rural has AOR=5.759, 95% CI (1.073-30.908), care giver sex, male has AOR=5.806 (1.006-33.51), illiterate care giver, AOR=10.183, child who live in adoption had AOR=14.981, as well as pre-epilepsy which has AOR=13.118 and having risk factors epilepsy, AOR=13.337 were the factors which increased epilepsy at p-value<0.005. On the other hand, ethnicity, religion child’s age, level of education, means of HIV transmission, care givers work and monthly income have significance association with epilepsy.

Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of epilepsy was more in boys than girls. CNS complications were more common among children with HIV and seizures as compared to those with HIV and no seizures. Prevention of HIV complications and strategies for the prevention of epilepsy in HIV positive individuals will be help full.

Keywords: Magnitude, Associated factor, Epilepsy, HIV seropositive children