HIV Status and Non-Communicable Diseases in Kenya: Sex-Stratified Findings from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022

The dual burden of HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) presents a significant health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, but limited evidence exists on their intersection. This study is a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of the nationally representative Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) evaluating the burden and multimorbidity of NCDs and mental health conditions by HIV status among women aged 15–49 years and men aged 15–54 years. Using survey-weighted logistic regression, we estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR), controlling for age group, place of residence, educational level, marital status, and county. Depression prevalence was significantly elevated among women living with HIV (9.8% vs. 3.0%; aOR = 2.70, p = 0.001) and higher but not statistically significant among HIV-positive men (7.6% vs. 2.6%; crude OR = 3.10, p = 0.005; aOR = 2.21, p = 0.069). HIV infection was independently associated with higher odds of anxiety in both men (aOR = 3.21, p = 0.047) and women (aOR = 2.74, p = 0.017). Crude hypertension was elevated in HIV-positive men (8.7% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.039) but was no longer significant after sociodemographic adjustment (aOR = 1.44, p = 0.390). Cervical cancer risk was higher but not statistically significant (aOR = 4.21, p = 0.053). Adults living with HIV in Kenya experience a disproportionate burden of common mental disorders (depression and anxiety) and heightened cervical cancer risk. Integrating routine mental health screening and cervical cancer surveillance directly into HIV primary care platforms is vital to address sex-specific chronic disease disparities.