Main Article Content
Anthropometric Indices, Dietary Practices, Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude, and Health Status of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Owerri Metropolis Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: HIV/AIDS and inadequate nutrient consumption predisposes patients to malnutrition and poor health status with significant increase in morbidity and mortality rate
Objective: To assess the anthropometric indices, NKAD and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study technique was used to assess anthropometric indices, NKAD and health status of people living with HIV/AIDS in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 325 subjects were recruited using systematic random sampling method. Interviewed administered structured questionnaire was used to assess socio-economic data, nutritional knowledge and attitude, dietary practices and health status of the subjects. Anthropometric measurements were taken to assess body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR). Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0.
Results: Majority had good nutritional knowledge (65.5%), good nutritional attitude (78.2%) and good dietary practice (71.1%). Malnutrition among the subjects revealed that underweight was (11.08%), overweight (21.23%) and obesity (13.23%). Subjects with high risk for cardiovascular diseases using WHR were 49.3% (female) and 18.1% (male). Diet-related chronic diseases include hypertension (21.8%), hypercholesterolemia (13.2%) and diabetes (9.2%). There was a positive association between body mass index and frequency of meal consumption (p= 0.037) and eating well (p = 0.054). Significant positive correlations between nutritional knowledge and dietary practice (r = 0.320), dietary practice and BMI (r = 0.264), BMI and health status (r = 0.180) were established.
Conclusion: Good nutritional knowledge, attitude and dietary practice improved nutritional and health status of HIV/AIDS subjects.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, nutritional knowledge and attitude, health status, anthropometric indices
