Abstract
HIV‐infected persons have poorer treatment adherence and clinical outcomes if food insecure. Food insecurity and malnutrition was assessed in clients seeking routine ARV treatment in two hospitals in Accra. We surveyed 298 voluntarily‐participating ARV clients at Korle‐Bu and Police Hospitals in Accra using the Household Food insecurity assessment scale, a 24‐hr dietary recall tool, and measured weight and height of clients. About 53% of clients reported hunger or reduced food intake in the last month; 13% reported frequently going to bed hungry. A total of 56% were classified moderate‐ or severely food insecure. Eleven percent were chronically undernourished (BMI<18.5kg/m2) and 35% were overweight or obese (BMI>25kg/m2). Almost all clients had lower than RDA intake for iodine (97.7%), Vitamin A (85.6%), and folate (96%) in the last 24 hours. Food insecurity was significantly associated with low intake of zinc (p<0.01), folate (p=0.02), and vitamin C (p<0.01), and also low educational status, and quality of life. Sustainable interventions are needed to address food insecurity among PLHIV in Ghana to improve ART outcomes.Grant Funding Source: Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research (CFAR):710‐9912‐8985
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