The Influence of Socioeconomic Characteristics on Anthropometry, Nutrition Knowledge, and Attitude of People Living With HIV/AIDS Attending Special Treatment Center (STC) National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria

Ijioma Okorie,Adaeze Christiana Okorie

doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.737381

Abstract

The work is on the influence of socioeconomic status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on their anthropometry, nutrition knowledge, and attitude, attending special treatment center (STC) in National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was carried out in the STC and a total of two hundred and seventy [270 (150 men and 120 women)] PLWHA were used for the study. The PLWHA attend STC once in 2 months and subjects were grouped into 16 giving 4 groups per week since the center runs Monday through Thursday weekly and by 2 months, there were altogether 32 groups. Socioeconomic characteristics, nutrition knowledge and attitude, and anthropometric data were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and regression analysis. The study revealed that 41.1% of PLWHA had poor knowledge of nutrition, 29.1% had both fair and good knowledge while 0.7% had excellent knowledge. A total of 52.8% had a positive attitude toward nutrition. The skinfold status of the respondents showed that 56.0% were malnourished, while their body mass index (BMI) revealed that 49.3% were normal. Gender (being female) and age (being young) had a significant (P < 0.01) influence on the BMI of PLWHA, while being female significantly influenced their skinfold status. Self-employed and being female were strongest (P < 0.01) positive predictors of nutrition knowledge, while low education had a negative influence on their attitude toward nutrition. Good nutrition knowledge, attitude, and improved socioeconomic characteristics are important tools in the care process of PLWHA, for sustainable healthy PLWHA, leading to a healthy society at large.

Highlights

Bijlsma [1] reported that AIDS is a disease caused by a retrovirus known as Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which attacks and impairs the natural defense system of the body against disease and infection
Having access to food items is not enough but knowledge of nutrition and attitude toward nutrition is paramount to improve the nutrition and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS
The present study is targeted at the influence of socioeconomic status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on their anthropometry, nutrition knowledge, and attitude, attending a special treatment center (STC) in National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

Bijlsma [1] reported that AIDS is a disease caused by a retrovirus known as HIV which attacks and impairs the natural defense system of the body against disease and infection. Bijlsma [1] further stressed that HIV is a slow-acting virus that may take years to produce illness in a person. During this period, the defense system of an HIV-infected person is impaired, and other viruses, bacteria, and parasites take advantage of this “opportunity” to further weaken the body and cause various illnesses, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and oral thrush. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the worst infections that have decimated the human population, especially in resource-compromised societies such as developing African countries. Despite tremendous advances in care for HIV infection and increased funding for treatment, morbidity and mortality due to HIV/AIDS in developing countries remain unacceptably high

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Conclusion