Nutrients intake and health status of HIV/AIDS patients

Abstract

PurposeThere are no adequate records on the nutrition of the people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. This paper aims to rectify this.Design/methodology/approachPurposive sampling technique was used to select 200 PLWHA respondents at the Federal Medical Center Idiaba, Abeokuta. A pre‐tested questionnaire was used to collect information on the subjects’ socio‐demographic characteristics and health status of respondents. A three day 24‐hour recall was used to assess the food intake of the subjects. Adequacy of nutrient intake was assessed as a percentage of the recommended dietary allowance. Packed cell volume (PCV) estimation was investigated using a sub‐sample of 100 respondents.FindingsThe values obtained were compared with WHO/UNICEF/UNU reference values. The mean PCV for the 33 men was 31.9±6.62 while the mean value for the remaining 67 females was 29.4±4.87, which was below the reference values. A positive correlation was obtained between the PCV and energy intake (r=0.528, 33; p<0.01) as well as serum iron (r=0.474; p<0.01).Practical implicationsThis study suggests that a healthy diet that is adequate in terms of energy, protein, fat, and other essential nutrients should be promoted in Nigeria as a key component of positive living for people with HIV.Originality/valueThis paper may be the first to evaluate the nutrient intake and health status of HIV/AIDS patients in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Nutritional and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS in the eastern region of Ghana

“…This was lower than a study in China which showed about 59.6 and 54.3 per cent of people living with HIV/AIDS with insufficient energy and protein intake, respectively (Hu et al , 2011). A study in Nigeria similarly found a high proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS with poor records of nutrient intake (Bello et al , 2011). The present study also found most respondents with an inadequate intake of vitamin A (94 per cent) and calcium (95 per cent).…”

Food preferences during HIV infections: A risk factor for AIDS

“…It was on this note, the World Health Organization recommended increased protein and energy food requirements by more than 20 and 10%, respectively, for PLWH (WHO, 2003). The common causes of malnutrition among PLWH have been: poverty, inadequate foods intakes (Bello et al, 2011), malabsorption (associated with damaged gastro intestinal tract), and loss of appetite as a result of mouth ulceration, nutrients and drugs interactions side effects and opportunistic infections (Poles et al, 2001). These factors were known for influencing food preferences among ALHIV.…”