UNDERSTANDING KEY DRIVERS OF UNDER NUTRITION AMONG ADULTS LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS ATTENDING ART CLINIC AT KYENJOJO GENERAL HOSPITAL, WESTERN UGANDA. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Jacqueline Karungi; Judah Turumanya; Jane Frank  Nalubega

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i3.932

Authors

Jacqueline Karungi School of Medical Laboratory Technology Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences
Judah Turumanya School of Medical Laboratory Technology Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences
Jane Frank Nalubega School of Medical Laboratory Technology Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i3.932

Keywords:

Under Nutrition, HIV, Art Clinic, Kyenjojo General Hospital

Abstract

Background:

The study aimed to assess the nutritional status along with the clinical and socio-economic factors associated with under nutrition among those attending the anti-retroviral clinic at Kyenjojo General Hospital.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Using purposive sampling, we recruited key informants to introduce the study to the target population. By simple random sampling, the study assessed respondents 334 subjects considering a 5 % degree of precision at a 95 % confidence interval. Data on treatment patterns and socio-demographics were collected using structured questionnaires while anthropometric data was collected using anthropometric tools. Anthropometric data was used to compute the BMI. All data was entered in MS Excel and transferred to SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics such as the frequencies, means, and standard deviations were expressed. The degree of relationship among variables was statistically evaluated using chi-square analyses. Statistical significance was reported at the p > 0.05 level.

Results:

The nutritional status of 51.1% of the respondents was normal, 16.2% were underweight, 18.3% were overweight and 14.4% were obese. Under nutrition was more prevalent in males (19.1%) than in females (14.0%). In addition, under nutrition was significantly associated with age (P=0.009), marital status (P<0.001), the highest level of education (P=0.008), estimated monthly income (P=0.002), alcohol use (P=0.031), treatment regimen (P=0.002), opportunistic infections (P=0.014), and clinical staging of disease (P=0.022).

Conclusion:

Under nutrition is a major challenge among people attending the anti-retroviral treatment at Kyenjojo General Hospital. Major changes in extension service provision, by including adults in affected Kyenjojo would help alleviate the problem at hand.

Recommendation

Health care providers including nutritionists and dieticians should create awareness on the role of nutrition in HIV/AIDS and anti-retroviral treatment.