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.