Undernutrition among HIV positive women in Humera hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2013: antiretroviral therapy alone is not enough, cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, undernutrition among women on antiretroviral therapy has been a major challenge to achieve the full impact of intervention. Twenty seven percent and 17% of reproductive age Ethiopian women are chronically malnourished and anemic, respectively. Most studies to examine risk factors have been limited to the general population and ART-naive HIV-positive women, making it difficult to generalize findings to ART-treated HIV-positive women. The objectives of this study were thus to assess nutritional status and associated factors among adult women (≥20 years) on antiretroviral therapy.MethodsFrom August to September we conducted an Institution based cross-sectional survey among 276 women on antiretroviral therapy in Humera Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. Data was collected using structured and standard face to face interview, anthropometric measurements, BD FACS (CD4 count machine) and Sysmex-21 (hemoglobin analyzer). Logistic regression was done using SPSS version 16 to identify factors that are associated with nutritional status.ResultsThe prevalence of under nutrition (Body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2) Was 42.3% (95% CI: 37.4% - 47.3%). Severe, moderate and mild under nutrition was detected on 12%, 10% and 20.3% respondents, respectively. The prevalence of wasting (percentage body weight loss >5%) was 75% (95% CI: 70.4% - 79.2%). Severe wasting was accounted for 26.9% of respondents.In the multivariate analysis, Household food insecurity [AOR = 1.85; 95%CI 1.16, 2.86], inadequate dietary diversity [AOR = 1.19; 95%CI 1.08, 1.75], anemia [AOR = 1.67; 95%CI 1.05, 2.65] and absence of nutritional support [AOR = 0.34 95%CI 0.22, 0.54) were found to be independent predictors of under-nutrition.ConclusionHIV/AIDS is associated with an increased burden of undernutrition even among ART treated women in Humera Hospital, Tigray, Ethiopia. In addition to ART among HIV positive women interventions to ameliorate poor nutritional status may be necessary in this and similar settings. Such interventions aimed at improving household food security, dietary diversity, micronutrient supplementation, proper use of therapeutic food, as well as treating oral candidiasis.

Malnutrition and Associated Factors among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at Organization for Social Service Health Development in Jimma Town Oromia Region South West Ethiopia

“…Level of malnutrition in this study was 43.02%, this result is the line with study done in Thailand which is 41.3% [6] and also similar with a study done in Tigray Ethiopia which is 42.3% [30]. Higher than study conducted at Dilla (12.3%), Gondar (25.5%) and Bihar Dar [31][32][33]. The difference might be due to different socio-economic status, stages of HIV, and awareness levels among the study participants.…”

A Hospital Based Cross Sectional Study on Dietary Status and Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kigali, Rwanda

“…Mulu et al noted a much higher prevalence [46.8%] in comparison to the findings of the current study (Mulu, Hamza, & Alemseged, 2016). Hadgu et al reported a prevalence of 42.3% (Hadgu, Worku, Tetemke, & Berhe, 2013). This is way higher than the findings of the current study.…”

Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors in human immuno deficiency virus infected adult individuals in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Of the total 20 articles, more than one third of studies were conducted in Amhara regional state health institutions [2, 14, 18, 20, 23, 24, 26, 28]; four studies in Addis Ababa health institutions [13, 16, 21, 22]; four studies at South Nations Nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia national regional state (SNNP) [3, 15, 17, 34]; one study at Oromia national regional state [19], one study at Gambella national regional state [27], one study at Tigray regional national state [35] and one study at Dire Dawa town administration of Ethiopia [25]. …”

“…Regarding the study designs, 13 studies [3, 13, 15, 17–20, 25–28, 34, 35] and the remaining seven were cross sectional and cohort studies respectively. After critical appraisal of each articles based on JBI-MAStARI, both in peer and independently, they scored in the range of 5-up to 8 out of 9 values (see Table 1).…”