ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY PATTERN AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ATTENDING SOME VOLUNTARY AND COUNSELLING TEST (VCT) UNITS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS
ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY PATTERN AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ATTENDING SOME VOLUNTARY AND COUNSELLING TEST (VCT) UNITS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS
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Date
2016-03
Authors
ACHADU, ABRAHAM ELEOJO
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Abstract
This study assessed the dietary pattern and nutritional status of People Living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWHA) attending some voluntary and counseling test units in Kaduna metropolis.The
studied subjects consisted of 74 adult patients infected with HIV between the ages of 18 and 60
years and 74 age-and-sexed-matched apparently healthy volunteers who were HIV negative as
control group.A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the socio
economic and demographic characteristics of the subjects. Dietary diversity of the subjectsand
control were assessed using food frequency questionnaire. Blood serum total protein, total
cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol were determined spectrophotometrically while serum
zinc and iron were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Result obtained
shows that majority of patients (39.19%) were between 26 and 33years. A sizeable percentages
of patients (33.78%) and control (52.7%) were overweight (BMI ≥ 25.00kg/m2), while some
patients (25.68%) and control (37.93%) were under weight (BMI < 18.49kg/m2). A
significantly (P<0.05) higher total protein was observed in patients compared to the control
while significantly (P<0.05) lower levels of LDL-cholesterol and CD4 counts were recorded in
HIV patients compared to the control. There was also significantly (P<0.05) lower levels of
zinc and iron in HIV patients compared to the control. Good dietary diversity was observed in
the HIV patients as their dietary pattern showed regular intake of energy and other food groups
which may explain why more patients had good BMI contrary to the usually observed
incidence of weight loss and wasting among PLWHIV. They also showed normal level of total
cholesterol and HDL which implies low risk of atherosclerosis with just little proportion at risk
as a result of high LDL levels. Normal zinc levels in the PLWHIV may explain the normal
weight observed contrary to what is observed in HIV patients with frequent diarrhea as zinc is
effective in the reduction of the incidence, severity and duration of diarrhea. The PLWHIV
should be encouraged to maintain dietary diversification with adequate consumption of four or
all the food groups.Also, attention should be given to other causes of death in PLWHA such as
cardiovascular diseases and overweight.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NUTRITION
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY FACULTY OF SCIENCE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA
Keywords
DIETARY PATTERN,, HIV/AIDS,, COUNSELLING TEST,, VCT,, KADUNA METROPOLIS,