Abstract

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Kampala International University Western Campus Uganda. ABSTRACT
In Uganda, the prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 64 is 6.2%, with higher rates among females (7.6%) than
males (4.7%). This corresponds to around 1.2 million people aged 15 to 64 living with HIV in Uganda, and a 0.5%
prevalence of HIV among children aged 0-14, which equates to approximately 95,000 children living with HIV in
the country. Despite the availability of Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy, which suppresses the virus and
reduces HIV-related illness and mortality, oral candidiasis is a common issue in up to 95% of HIV-infected
individuals during their illness. This study was conducted at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda
with 287 HIV-positive patients. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral candidiasis among these
patients and identify associated factors to develop strategies for reducing its prevalence. The study found that
44.26% of HIV-positive patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital had oral candidiasis, a higher rate than in
most other studies in Uganda. Factors independently associated with oral candidiasis were advanced age (≥56
years), which increased the risk, and having a CD4 count of ≥ 200 copies/mm3, which was protective against oral
candidiasis. These findings provide insights into addressing and managing oral candidiasis among HIV patients in
this region.