Background: Due to the wide implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWHIV) are now living longer. This increased the risk of having non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) among them. We aimed to describe prevalence of NCCDs multi-morbidity among people living with HIV at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital (HUCSRH). Methods: In April 2016, institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHIV, aged ⩾ 18 years at the ART unit of HUCSRH. A nurse working in the ART unit interviewed patients and reviewed medical records. Data on the NCCDs and its risk factors were obtained. List of diseases considered in this study were arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), rheumatic heart diseases (RHD), chronic bronchitis, asthma and having of cancer. Results: More than half of the respondents (196) had at least one of the NCCDs and 34 (8.9%) had multi-morbidity. The main system of the body affected were the musculoskeletal system, 146 (38.2%) and respiratory system, 46 (12.0%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of an individual NCCDs by gender. Patients aged above 44 years, patients with ART duration of at least 6 years and patients with higher CD4 counts had increased odds of having any one of the NCCDs. Concerning multi-morbidity patients with a longer ART duration had an increased risk. Conclusion: The prevalence of both NCCDs multi-morbidity and its risk factors among people living with HIV are high. In addition to the HIV care, actions targeted on reducing the risk factors could reduce the burden and its consequence.

Keywords: NCCDs, Hawassa University, HIV, Multi-morbidity