Table 1 Bivariate and multivariate analysis of risk factors of anemia in HIV

Younger age (<6 years)

28 (24.8)

23 (18.1)

1.5 (0.8-2.8)

0.209

-

-

Underweight (Weight-for age Z score < − 2)

57 (50.4)

51 (42.2)

1.5 (0.9-2.5)

0.111

-

-

Stunted (Height-for age Z score < − 2)

53 (46.9)

42 (33.1)

1.8 (1.1-3.0)

0.029*

1.9 (1.1-3.4)

0.034*

Not on antiretroviral therapy

81 (71.7)

55 (43.3)

3.3 (1.9-5.7)

<0.001*

1.4 (0.7-3.0)

0.359

Low CD4% (<25 %)

75 (66.4)

41 (32.3)

4.1 (2.4-7.1)

<0.001*

3.2 (1.8-5.7)

<0.001*

Viral load ≥ 400 (copies/ml)

92 (82.4)

67 (52.8)

3.9 (2.2-7.1)

<0.001*

2.4 (1.1-5.4)

0.035*

Intestinal helminth infestation

15 (13.2 %)

13 (10.2)

1.1 (0.6-3.1)

0.601

-

-

Inflammation (ultrasensitive CRP > 1.0) mg/dl)

66 (58.4)

69 (54.8)

1.2 (0.7-2.0)

0.570

-

-

Iron deficiency (soluble transferrin receptor-log ferritin index (sTfR/lf) ≥1.5)

74 (65.5)

80 (62.9)

1.1 (0.7-1.9)

0.688

-

-

B₁₂ deficiency (serum B₁₂ ≤ 210 pg/mL)

11 (9.8)

4 (3.2)

3.3 (1.0-10.6)

0.047

-

-

Vit A deficiency (retinol binding protein (RBP) <0.7 μmoles/L)

30 (26.6)

13 (10.2)

3.2 (1.6-6.0)

0.001*

2.5 (1.1-5.6)

0.022*