Nutritional Status of Adults Living With HIV/AIDS at the University of Gondar Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are more likely to become malnourished due to reduced food intake or poor absorption of nutrients. While nutritional management is considered as a vital part for the effectiveness of the ART program in Ethiopia in general and in Gondar in particular, studies on nutritional assessment of PLHIV are limited, if at all available. This study is, therefore, important in that it aims to show the nutritional status of PLHIV and the risk factors for malnutrition.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess adult nutritional status and associated factors among PLHIV on ART at UoG Referral Hospital.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 01 to November 30, 2007, at UoG Referral Hospital. The systematic sampling technique was used to select study subjects from all adult ART clients. One physician and four nurses collected the data using clinical assessment, measurements, and interview. BMI and percentage of body weight loss were calculated from the data. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with malnutrition.
Results: The complete records of 331 subjects (64.4% female and 35.6% male) were obtained and included in the analysis. The mean (+s.d) age was 33.9 + 8.2 years; the prevalence of malnutrition (BMI<18.5kg/m2) was 27.8%. The percentage of body weight lost was (BWL>5%) was 60.9%. Severe malnutrition (BWL>20%) accounted for 10.1%. Income, duration of ART in months, presence of eating problems, and nutritional support were significantly associated with malnutrition (BMI<18.5). BWL showed statistically significant relationship with nutritional support and duration of ART.
Conclusion and recommendation: There is a high burden of malnutrition in PLHIV. Income, eating problems, duration of ART, and current clinical condition were associated with malnutrition in this group of patients. Nutritional assessment and management, timely initiation of ART, and treatment of eating problems should be the key intervention during the course of chronic HIV care and follow up.