Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Women Living with HIV in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

HIV and AIDS have posed various medical, nutritional, social and economic problems, female-headed households being the most affected. Poor nutritional knowledge and dietary practices common among the most affected households significantly contribute to the rapid progression of HIV. However, very little data exist concerning these aspects of nutrition among women living with HIV and AIDS in resource-limited settings, such as Uganda. The aim of the study was to investigate the gaps in nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices and their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics in an urban population of women living with HIV and AIDS in Uganda. In total, 133 women living with HIV were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Most (89.5%) women reported being trained on the importance of nutrition for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and believed that it is very important to consume a balanced diet (99.5%). On the contrary, only 21.8% consumed at least three meals per day and 39.8% at least six food-groups. They also reported higher dependency on starchy staples while foods of animal origin and fruits that play vital immunity and protective roles were inadequately consumed. Results of bivariate analysis indicated that consumption of a diversified diet was significantly associated with access to food-aid (p=0.006), possibly because access to food-aid reportedly enhances the ability of the household to access other food items. However, much is still needed to understand the drug-food interaction and dietary diversification and enhance proper dietary practices through sustainable projects that ensure increased access to food. Support groups of the PLWHA are a good vehicle for communication of nutrition information and implementation of nutrition-related projects.

The Effects of Nutritional Knowledge on the Dietary Practices of People Living with HIV in Kayole Division, Nairobi-Kenya

“…The frequency at which the staples were consumed was higher than the other very important nutrients (from animal sources, fruits and vegetables) in the management of HIV. Another study in Eastern Uganda also showed a higher dependency HIV in Kayole Division, Nairobi-Kenya on starchy staples like maize, rice, sweet potatoes compared to foods of animal origin and fruits [20]. Interestingly there was a negative relationship between the nutrition knowledge and intake of oils and fats, and indicator of decrease of fats and oils intake with increase in nutritional knowledge.…”

The mix of good nutritional attitude and poor nutritional knowledge is associated with adequate intake of vitamin A and iron from wild fruits and vegetables among rural households in Acholi subregion of Northern Uganda

“…The questionnaire also had provision for information on composition of household members by age, physiological status (for pregnant and lactating mothers), and gender. The constructs used to measure nutritional knowledge and attitude were adapted with modification from previous studies (Bukusuba, Kikafunda, & Whitehead, 2010;Damodaran, Parkin, & Fennema, 2008;Pilgrim et al, 2007). Literature study and laboratory analyses were undertaken to collect information on nutrient contents of the wild fruits and vegetables routinely consumed in the community.…”

Prevalence of Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS and on ART in Achefer District, North West Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional study

“…8% respectively [16,17]. But this study nding is lower than the nding of Botswana Which was 30% [20] and higher than a study done in Dilla University Referral Hospital (12.3%) [18] and in Miami, Florida 17.6% [14]. The difference could be due to time difference.…”