Nutrients intake and health status of HIV/AIDS patients

Abstract

Purpose

There are no adequate records on the nutrition of the people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. This paper aims to rectify this.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive 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.

Findings

The 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 implications

This 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/value

This paper may be the first to evaluate the nutrient intake and health status of HIV/AIDS patients in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Citation

Bello, T.K., Olayiwola, I. and Agbon, C. (2011), "Nutrients intake and health status of HIV/AIDS patients", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 41 No. 5, pp. 352-358. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346651111170941