HIV/AIDS is a Global Health challenge it had become the primary cause of death in certain countries person

with Hiv/Aids infections, although the prevalence and incidence rate varies from country to country the study

healthy behavior. Hence it was recommended that health programme planners should consider orientation of the

respondents against Opportunistic infections.

Keywords: influence; factors, infection, opportunistic, persons, HIV/AIDS

AIDS is a term which has become universally recognised in a relatively shoot period of time. AIDS is an acronym

for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. In some countries, AIDS has already become the primary cause of

death in person between the age of 20 -40 years (WHO, 2014). According to Lee, (2008) Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is considered to be a disease. It is a depression of the immune system of the

individual which is caused by a special type of virus -a retro-virus which disposes one to suffer from serious

relapses and the development of Lypho proliferative diseases. The Aids virus belongs to the group retro-viruses.

et al , 2015), HIV infection result in low level of CD4+ T Cell and eventual killing of infected CD4+ T Cell by

CD8+ Cyto-toxic lymphocytes that recognise infected cells . The cell mediated immunity is lost when CD4+T

cell number depreciates below a critical level and this makes the body become progressively more susceptible

to opportunistic infections which leads to the development of AIDS (Earg, Mohl and Joshi, 2012). Opportunistic

infection do present with symptoms. According to Brian (2015), common opportunistic infections include (but

are not limited to Oral (thrush) candidiasis infections of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract, including non

albicans candida infections, Coccidioidomycosis, Cryptoccosis, Crytococcosis, Crytomegalovirus,

Cryptosporidiosis, Herpes simplex related bronehitis ,pneomonitics, Histoplasmosis, Recurrent pneumonia,

Tuberculosis and Mycobacterial aviwul complex

In Imo state, in Nigeria epidemiology call management of the infection, there is an urgent need to understand

A survey was Conditioned in various Art centre within the study area. Sample comprised of 2,470. Random

sampling was used to select individuals for interviews Age 18-25= 295, Age 26-33=480, Age 34 -41=510, Age

42-49=560, Age 50 -60=625, Total 2,470 for sex. Male =1040 and female =1430 Total =2470.Informed consent

was taken from the participants. ART centers derived urban, and rural area were selected for sampling. A self-

developed comprehensive and well organised questionnaire which covered the domains of Age and sex and

opportunistic infection rate among the sampled groups.

The inclusion criteria were general public, adults of any gender in selected ART centres in the study area, 18

years and above will at least with primary grade level of education. Only those participants were enrolled and

interviewed who has given written consent before participating in the study and fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

The questionnaire included recourse of sex and age about opportunistic infection rate among individuals in this

The Table shows the relationship between social demographic profile of the study group and the prevailing rate

of opportunistic infection (OI). The rate (OI) was found to be slightly higher among the younger age groups

(51.2%) For 18-36 years, 52.7% for (26-33 years) compared to the rate among the older group (48.2%) of 42 -

49 years, 46.6 % at (50 -60 years). However, age was not found as a significant associating factor for

opportunistic infection in this Study (P=0. 0225), indicating that the fewer differences observed are very likely

to have occurred by chance. Similar to age, the sex of the patients was not found to be significantly associated

with opportunistic infection (P= 0.326), as well as the level of participants education (P= 0.623). Through not

significant , the OI occurred more among females(50.6%) than male (48. 6 %) at more risk of about one fold

rate of OI was found to be slightly higher among the younger age groups Compared to the rate among the older

age group. This is Likely because the younger age groups are compared to the rate among the older age group.

This is likely among the older age group. This is likely because the younger age groups are more likely to engage

in risky sexual behaviours. Similary some other studies (lawn et al , 2005), Okonko, et al, (2018), which reported

higher risk of OI For younger age, Compared to older age , This is contrary to findings in Girma et al,( 2022)

which reported that older age was a strong risk factor for developing Opportunistic infections such as

tuberculosis, oral Condisis, chronic dermatitis ,chronic diarrhoea diseases, and herpes Zoster were more

prevalent among other adults. Similar to age, the sex of the patients was not found to be significantly associating

with opportunistic infection in the study .This study Findings is in congruent with findings with Okonko et al,

higher among Female as well as the divorced\separated. However, it has been argued that gender that gender

those not play any significant role in the rate of opportunistic infection among persons living with HIV\AIDS

(Odaibo et al., 2013).

Some socio -demographic factor such as age and sex are not significantly associated with the rate Opportunistic

response to peculiar challenge associated with the disease.

OIS in PLWHA.

health education and promotion strategies that will increase awareness among persons living with

HIV\AIDS.

be made known to PLWHA

3. Girma, D., Dejene, H., Adugna Geleta, L., Tesema, M., Bati, F. (2022). Time to occurrence, predictors,

and patterns of opportunistic infections incidence among HIV-positive patients attending Antiretroviral

5. Okonko, I.O., Onwusor, H., Awanye, A.M., Cookey, T.I., Onoh, C.C. and Oseni, S.A. - (2020). Prevalence

of Some Opportunistic Infections (OIs) and Co-infections among HIV-Infected Persons in Port Harcourt,

Nigeria. South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology, pp.1–12. doi:

https://doi.org/10.9734/sajrm/2020/v8i130182.

6. Lee, SG (2008). Does Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Truly Promote Public Health Goals: Review

of Ten African HIV Laws, Med. L Int’l 9: 3: 245-262.

7. Sutini, R, S. R., Saefurrohim, M. Z., Al Ayubi, M. T. A., Wijayanti, H., Wandastuti, A. D., Miarso, D., &

Susilastuti, M. S. (2022). Prevalence and Determinants of Opportunistic Infections in HIV Patients: A