• Getachew Y Yitbarek, Wondimnew D Addis, Fentaw T Dagnaw, Gashaw W Ayehu, Biruk D Melese, Tadeg J Amare, Anemut T Mulu, Wubet A Bayih, Berhanu K Ashagrie, Edgeit A Zewde, Tigabu Munye, Ermias S Chanie, Workneh Ebabu, Sintayehu Asnakew, Getachew Arage, and Assefa A Teshome.
• Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Science, 487509Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia.
• Mol Pain. 2022 Jan 1; 18: 17448069221089593.

BackgroundIn the mid-1990s, the development of combination antiretroviral therapy converted HIV infection into a chronic condition, with newly diagnosed patients now living longer than the general population. HIV affects both the central and peripheral nerve systems, resulting in a variety of clinical problems, including peripheral neuropathy, which is a common neurological consequence. Despite this, there is a scarcity of data on the extent of peripheral sensory neuropathy and its underlying factors in Ethiopia, necessitating this study.ObjectiveThe primary goal of this study is to assess the degree of peripheral sensory neuropathy and its related factors among HIV/AIDS clients on follow up at public health institutions in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodologyInstitution based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1 to 30 December 2020 at selected south Gondar zone public health institutions ART clinic. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Standardized Questioner adapted from other study was used to collect the data. Moreover, Brief Peripheral Neuropathy Screening tool (BPNS) was used to assess peripheral sensory neuropathy. The data were entered with epi-data manager version 4.4 and analyzed using STATA version 16.ResultA total of 555 adult PLWHIV agreed to participate in the study, resulting in a response rate of 96.8%. The prevalence of Peripheral sensory neuropathy was 32.25, 95% CI (28.28, 36.26). The participant's age, DM comorbidity, viral load level, and disease clinical stage were all found to have a statistically significant association with peripheral sensory neuropathy.ConclusionPeripheral sensory neuropathy was incredibly common. Accordingly, peripheral sensory neuropathy was found considerably associated with age, viral load level, stage of the disease, and DM comorbidity. It is vital to integrate routine peripheral sensory neuropathy screening strategies for clients who are on ART follow up for prevention and early identification of the problem.

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