Background: Malnutrition has a negative impact on optimal immune function, thus increasing susceptibility to morbidity and mortality among HIV positive patients. Evidence indicates that the prevalence of macro and micronutrient deficiencies (particularly magnesium, selenium, zinc, and vitamin C) has a negative impact on optimal immune function, through the progressive depletion of CD4 T-lymphocyte cells, which thereby increases susceptibility to morbidity and mortality among PLWH. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a nutrition sensitive intervention to delay the progression of human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) to AIDS among people living with HIV in Abuja, Nigeria.Methods: A randomised control trial was carried out on 400 PLWH (adult, male and female of different religious background) in Abuja, Nigeria between January and December, 2012. Out of these 400 participants, 100 were randomly selected for the six months pilot study (January to June, 2012). The participants in the pilot study overlapped to form part of the scale-up participants (n 400) monitored from June to December, 2012. The comparative effect of daily consumed 354.92 kcal/d optimised meal for six and twelve months was ascertained through the nutritional status and biochemical indices of the study participants (n 100 pilot and n 400 scale-up interventions) who were/were not taking the intervention meal. The meal consisted of: Glycine max 50g; Pennisetum americanum 20g; Moringa oleifera 15g; Daucus carota spp.sativa 15g.Results: At the end of six months of the scale-up intervention, mean CD4 cell count (cell/mm3) for Pre-ART and ART Test groups increased by 6.31% and 12.12% respectively. Mean mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) for Pre-ART and ART Test groups increased by 2.72% and 2.52% within the same period (n 400). Comparatively, participants who overlapped from pilot to scale-up intervention (Long term use, n 100) were assessed for 12 months. Mean CD4 cell count (cell/mm3) for Pre-ART and ART Test groups increased by 2.21% and 12.14%. Mean MUAC for Pre-ART and ART Test groups increased by 2.08% and 3.95% respectively. Moreover, Student’s t-test analysis suggests a strong association between the intervention meal,  MUAC and CD4 count on long term use of optimised meal in the group of participants on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although the achieved results take the form of specific technology, it suggests that a prolong consumption of the intervention meal will be suitable to sustain the gained improvements in the anthropometric and biochemical indices of PLWHIV in Nigeria. Keywords: HIV; AIDS; Nutrition-sensitive approach; CD4 cell count; Macro and Micronutrients; ART; Tailored Functional Recipe - TFR.

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The success of recent nutrition interventions in HIV demonstrate the progress made in HIV care and support. The idea to adapt principles and technologies from the TFR concept to the development of a functional recipe to slow the progression of HIV to AIDS proves to be meaningful and realisable in Amtewa meal nutrition intervention approach. Although the achieved results take the form of specific technology, it suggests that a prolong consumption of the intervention meal (Amtewa) will be suitable to sustain the gained improvements in the anthropometric and biochemical indices. The research highlighted crucial issues and identified key design parameters that require further attention and research in developing countries like Nigeria. Overall, it addresses the synergistic relationship between nutrition and HIV infection, the nutritional requirement and nutritional care and support for PLWHIV in Nigeria. While the nutrition intervention demonstrated a positive effect, the study also suggests that the initial visit of a newly diagnosed HIV-positive patient should include screening for nutritional status, identify risks and offer appropriate nutrition counseling which was not in existence but currently has been imbedded as “Nutritional Framework” within the HIV care and support programme in one of the accredited HIV treatment centres in Nigeria. This Nutritional Framework has provided information to PLWHIV on their HIV medication and food interactions and about nutritional screening tools available in the health setting. Finally, the research provides evidence which may be used as a basis for policy makers to incorporate Amtewa meal nutrition intervention in HIV care and support programme in other HIV treatment centres in Nigeria with a view of attenuating the progression of HIV to AIDS amongst PLWHIV in Nigeria.

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