Risk factors associated with malnutrition of infants exposed to HIV in Henan province, 2010-2012

Abstract

To examine the malnutrition status of infants exposed to HIV in rural areas of Henan province and related risk factors. Z scores of weight for age, height for age and weight for height of infants exposed to HIV in rural areas of Henan province born in 2010-2012 were calculated at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months of age. Z scores were used to evaluate the nutrition status of infants under study. Data regarding the pregnant women and infants were collected and analyzed by non-conditional logistic regression model. One hundred fifty-seven infants were surveyed in which 125 were HIV negative and 32 were HIV positive. The incidence rates of underweight, athrepsia and growth retardation of HIV-negative infants were 8.8%, 16.8% and 30.4%, respectively. The incidence rates of underweight, athrepsia and growth retardation among the HIV-positive infants were 15.0%, 30.0% and 41.7%, respectively. Anemia in pregnancy (RR = 2.05, 95% CI:1.15-3.66), low count of CD(4)(+)T leuko-monocyte (RR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.18-1.74), status of complementary feeding before 4 months old (RR = 1.96, 95% CI:1.40-2.74) might serve as the risk factors related to the situation. Infants received antiviral treatment (RR = 0.14, 95% CI:0.02-1.04), normal birth weight (RR = 0.08, 95%CI:0.04-0.15) might serve as the protective factors. The malnutrition incidence was high among those infants younger than 18 months exposed to HIV in rural area of Henan province. Essential health services such as antenatal care, artificial feeding and growth monitoring for infants and pregnant infants should be provided to prevent malnutrition among these sub-populations.