Ageing and HIV-Risk in Non-Gravid Female Humans

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the association between ageing process markers (e.g. clinical conditions necessitating total abdominal hysterectomy) and immune functions (i.e. HIV-risk) among adult non-gravid female humans. Materials & Methods: We did a secondary data analysis, from a prospective, observational, hospital-based study conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The primary study population included all women planned for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH). Target population was all women who underwent TAH. Data were analysed using a generalized linear model via SAS statistical software version 9.4. Results: We analysed 40981 women-hours of follow-up. None of the participant seroconverted against HIV during follow-up period, making an HIV-incidence of 0/40981 women-hours. All participants were black Africans (median age 42 (IQR: 37–47) years). We found a statistically significant drop (aOR: 0.687) in HIV-risk after age of 45 years. Serial correlation between age and HIV-serostatus was found (γ = -0.514, P = 0.000). Association between HIV and marital stata was barely significant (χ2 = 8.0176, df = 3). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant reduced HIV-risk after the age of 45 years among hysterectomised women up and above the known behavioural/clinical risks. Participants who reported married had the highest HIV-seropositivity rate. Recommendations: These findings reflect antagonistic pleiotropy theory of ageing. Analyses on potential biological mechanism(s) against HIV in peri/post-menopausal women is/are warranted.