Haematological Profile of HIV-Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Secondary Hospital in Cross River State

Haematological abnormalities are common in HIV infection and can be exacerbated or ameliorated by antiretroviral therapy (ART), making routine monitoring of blood parameters essential in clinical management. This study evaluates the haematological profile of HIV-positive patients on first-line ART attending the General Hospital Calabar, Cross River State. One hundred HIV-positive patients on ART for at least six months, confirmed by clinical staging and CD4 count records, and fifty HIV-negative healthy controls were recruited. Full blood count parameters including haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell count, white blood cell count with differential, and platelet count were determined by automated haematology analyser. CD4 lymphocyte counts were retrieved from patient clinic records. Results show that despite ART, HIV-positive patients had significantly lower haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and total red blood cell count compared to controls, indicating persistent anaemia in a significant proportion of the study population. Anaemia was present in 48 percent of patients, predominantly normocytic normochromic in character. Leucopenia was observed in 22 percent of patients. Platelet counts were within normal range in most patients but thrombocytopenia was present in 11 percent. CD4 count showed a significant positive correlation with haemoglobin, suggesting that immune recovery is associated with haematological improvement. Patients on zidovudine-containing regimens showed more profound haematological suppression than those on non-zidovudine regimens. Regular haematological monitoring is recommended for all HIV patients in Cross River State. Keywords: haematological profile, HIV, antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count, Cross River State.