FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UNDERNUTRITION AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS RECEIVING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN WAU TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOUTH SUDAN. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v5i9.1396Keywords:
Under-nutrition among People Living With HIV, Antiretroviral Therapy, Wau Teaching Hospital, South SudanAbstract
Background
Undernutrition in the form of wasting, underweight, and stunting. Micronutrient deficiency is a major concern in people on antiretroviral treatment. Therefore, the study aimed to assess factors associated with undernutrition among people living with HIV and AIDs receiving antiretroviral therapy in Wau Teaching Hospital, South Sudan.
Methodology
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a quantitative research approach. Using purposive sampling, we recruited key informants to introduce the study to the target population. By simple random sampling, the study assessed 338 respondents. Data on socio-demographics were collected using structured questionnaires while anthropometric data was collected using anthropometric tools and data analysis was done using the SPSS version 25. 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 majority of the respondents were female (58.6%) and (64.5%) were married. Undernutrition was more prevalent in females (25.3%) than in males (22.1%). In addition, undernutrition was significantly associated with age (P=0.009), marital status (P<0.001), highest level of education (P=0.008), treatment regimen (P=0.002), opportunistic infections (P=0.014), and clinical staging of disease (P=0.022).
Conclusion
Undernutrition is a major challenge among people attending the anti-retroviral treatment at Wau Teaching Hospital. Major changes in extension service provision, by including adults in affected western barh-ghazal Wau would help alleviate the problem at hand.
Recommendation
Health care providers including nutritionists and dietitians should create awareness on the role of nutrition in HIV/AIDS and in anti-retroviral treatment for example through routine dietetic nutrition education and nutritional counseling sessions at the ART clinic to empower PLWHIV to make appropriate food choices.
References
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