In a univariate analysis, the factors found to be associated with poor CD4+ cell count recovery (an increase of ≤ 100 cells/mm3 from baseline) at 12 months of ART were older age (COR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.37–2.74), male sex (COR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.30–2.56), CD4+ cell count > 350 cells/mm3 (COR = 3.33, 95% CI 2.19–5.06), anemia (COR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.47–0.94) and ZDV-containing initial regimen (COR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.13–2.23). Here, CD4 is linked to anemia.