Nutritional Status and associated factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS remained a significant health
burden particularly in developing countries. It has been continued as one of a global health
crisis with 1.5 million [1.0 million–2.0 million] new HIV infections and 680 000 [480 000–
1 000 000] deaths from AIDS-related causes that occurred in 2020. Poor nutrition resulting in
weight loss, muscle wasting, weakness, nutrient deficiencies leads to impaired immune
system which could facilitate HIV disease progression or increase the risk of infection.
Objective: This study aimed to asses’ nutritional status and associated factors among adults
living with HIV/ AIDS at ART clinic of Yekatit12 Hospital Addis Ababa.
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among all adults attending
ART follow up services at Yekatit 12 hospital from May 2024 to July 2024.
Results: A total of 393 participants were included in the study. The mean age of the
participants was 33.74 (SD ±5.29) years. The prevalence of malnutrition with
(BMI<18.5kg/m2) in this study was 37.15%. Opportunistic infections (AOR=3.12,95% CI:
1.77-5.46), Clinical stage four (AOR=6.39,95% CI: 1.73-23.65), Clinical stage three (AOR=
4.69, 95% CI: 1.02 -6.05), receiving nutritional support and care (AOR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.27-
1.14), high meal frequency (AOR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.13-0.95), and, food insecure (AOR= 2.99,
95% CI:1.56-5.73) were significantly associated with under nutrition.
Conclusion: Malnutrition associated with advanced clinical stages of HIV diseases,
opportunistic infection and food insecurity is significant problem among peoples living with
HIV/AIDS.