Assessment of Adult Nutritional Status and Associated Factors among ART Users in Nekemte Referral Hospital and Health Center, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Malnutrition, especially under nutrition is the main problem that is seen over People Living With HIV/AIDS. This is because of body’s less ability to absorb nutrients and reduced food intake which results from appetite loss and eating difficulty, possibly as a result of side effects of medication and infections. Nutritional status is a key determinant of the outcomes of Anti Retroviral Therapy. This study will therefore, provide important information on nutritional status and related factors for health workers in the health facilities and for all concerned bodies. The aim of this study is to assess nutritional status and associated risk factors of patients living with HIV/AIDS following Anti Retro viral Therapy at Nekemte Referral Hospital and Nekemte health center. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January 15, 2013 to March, 2013 in Nekemte Referral Hospital and health center. A total of 423 ART users are selected by systematic random sampling technique from all adult ART clients will be included in the study area. The data will be collected by one physician, three nurses, two Health Officers and three data clerks. Clinical assessments, measurements of height and weight and structured questionnaire based interview will be used for data collection after the proper consent and ethical clearance. In this study the prevalence of malnutrition in HIV/AIDS clients who attend ART was (27%). Both HIV/AIDS and malnutrition independently cause progressive damage to the immune system and increased susceptibility to infection. ART interruption and presence of opportunistic infection (tuberculosis) were significantly associated with nutritional statuses of the adults on the ART in Nekemte referral hospital and Nekemte health center. In Nekemte Referral Hospital and Nekemte Health center clients are malnourished due to the associated factors such as presence of opportunistic infection that is tuberculosis. From 19 clients that have TB (75.9%) of them are mal nourished and interrupting treatment was seen to contribute to malnutrition for the respondents. Awareness creation should be made for not to interrupt ART since effective treatment with ART reduces the chance of progression to active TB. Keywords:Adult; Nutritional status; ART; Nekemte Referral Hospital and Health Center; Associated Factors