Malnutrition and associated factors among adults starting on antiretroviral therapy at PASADA Hospital in Temeke District, Tanzania

Author:

Kabalimu Titus K.,Sungwa Edson,Lwabukuna Warles C.

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is known to play a significant role in HIV/AIDS progression. Severe malnutrition has been previously found to be associated with early mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) undergoing anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among adult PLHIV attending care and treatment centre (CTC) in Temeke District, Tanzania.Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study involved consecutive eligible patients attending the CTC for initiating in ART, between January and April, 2014. All participants who agreed to sign a consent form were enrolled. The participants had undergone baseline workup for ART initiation (by CTC), which included blood tests for liver and renal function tests, and CD4+ cell count, using calibrated instruments and standard techniques. In all patients the weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI), denoting the nutritional status. This parameter was recorded in the study instrument together with the CD4+ count for each patient. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain more information, namely demographic and lifestyle data.Results:  A total of 125 patients were included in this study. The prevalence of malnutrition among participants was 19.4%.  Those with severe malnutrition comprised of 9%. Significant association was noted between malnutrition and irregular income (OR= 3.8, CI: 1.2-11.5) and also inability to get at least two meals a day (OR= 3.4, CI: 1.2-9.2).  Severe malnutrition was significantly associated with the CD4+ counts of <200 cells/mm(OR =7.6; CI: 1.7-34.6).Conclusion: About 19% of participants were malnourished at the time of initiation of ART and among them 9% were severely malnourished. The most important risks for malnutrition were found to be irregular income and inability to get adequate feeding. This calls for routine nutritional assessment at CTCs prior to initiation of ART so as to identify those who need immediate intervention, including those with severe malnutrition.

Publisher

African Journals Online (AJOL)

Subject

General Medicine

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3