Nutritional status of HIV-positive individuals on free HAART treatment in a developing nation

Abstract

Introduction: HIV positive individuals are prone to malnutrition due to inadequate dietary intake. Additionally, in low-income countries, including Nigeria, stigmatization and discrimination result in a lack of support for HIV-positive individuals ultimately contributing to even further reduced food availability and inadequate dietary intake. This study aimed to determine the nutrirional status of HIV-positive individuals on free, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria. Methodology: Subjective global assessment (SGA) technique was used to survey the nutritional status of 120 HIV-positive individuals and a control group over a one-year period. Results: All the HIV-positive individuals and their control group were physically active, with a third of them belonging to the lower socioeconomic status. There were significantly more malnourished individuals among the HIV-positive group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Malnutrition is common among HIV-positive patients in southeast Nigeria.