Abstract
BackgroundIn resource limited settings, many People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) lack access to sufficient quantities of nutritious foods, which poses additional challenges to the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Maintaining adequate food consumption and nutrient intake levels and meeting the special nutritional needs to cope up with the disease and the ART are critical for PLWHA to achieve the full benefit of such a treatment.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among HIV-infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings.MethodsA cross sectional study was carried out from January 1, 2009 to March 3, 2009 at ART clinic at Jimma University specialized hospital (JUSH) in Ethiopia. We used multivariable logistic regression model to compare independent risk factors by food insecurity status among 319 adult PLWHA (≥18 years) attending ART Clinic.ResultsA total of 319 adult PLWHA participated in the study giving a response rate of 100%. Out of 319 PLWHA the largest numbers of participants, 46.4% were in the age group of 25-34 years. The overall 201(63.0%) PLWHA were food insecure. Educational status of elementary or lower [OR = 3.10 (95%CI; (1.68-5.71)], average family monthly income <100 USD [OR = 13.1 (95% CI; (4.29-40.0)] and lower food diversity [OR = 2.18 (95%CI; (1.21-3.99)] were significantly and independently associated with food insecurity.ConclusionFood insecurity is a significant problem among PLWHA on HAART. Lower educational status and low family income were the predictors of food insecurity. Food security interventions should be an integral component of HIV/AIDS care and support programs. Special attention need to be given to patients who have lower educational status and are members of households with low income.
Highlights
The estimated number of persons living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) worldwide in 2009 was 33.3 million
There is a risk that declining food security will lead some people to discontinue treatment, due to a lack of adequate food[6].The threat that HIV/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) poses on food security was first recognized in the late 1980s and early 1990s [7,8,9]
A total of 319 adult People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) participated in the study giving a response rate of 100%
Summary
The estimated number of persons living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) worldwide in 2009 was 33.3 million. Many PLWHA lack access to sufficient quantities of nutritious foods, which poses additional challenges to the success of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) [2,6]. There is a risk that declining food security will lead some people to discontinue treatment, due to a lack of adequate food (which is necessary for taking antiretroviral drugs)[6].The threat that HIV/AIDS poses on food security was first recognized in the late 1980s and early 1990s [7,8,9]. Many People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) lack access to sufficient quantities of nutritious foods, which poses additional challenges to the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Maintaining adequate food consumption and nutrient intake levels and meeting the special nutritional needs to cope up with the disease and the ART are critical for PLWHA to achieve the full benefit of such a treatment
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