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.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, popularly known as AIDS,
is caused by the virus, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV). This is a tiny
germ that is invisible to the eye that attacks the immune system of the body.
AIDS is a condition in which the virus damages the body immune system and
renders it helpless against any infection, (Hawkes et al., 2002). According to
the World Health Organization (2005), AIDS is the most dreaded, most feared and
the most talked about disease in the world today.It is a deadly disease that
has no cure. According to Ojedokun (2004), there are two main sub types: HIV I
and HIV
HIV I is the most common type all over the world while HIV II
is only common in West Africa. The intensity and the pattern with which
HIV/AIDS affects nutritional status are very much different from that in other
infections and in ordinary case of inadequate nutrients intake (Piwoz and
Preble, 2000). Due to lack of cure for HIV/AIDS, the immune system of infected
patients is under constant exposure to infections which adversely affect the
nutritional status and immune competence of the subjects in question (Piwoz and
Preble, 2000).
Malnutrition is a serious danger for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Even at the early stages of HIV infection when no symptoms are apparent, HIV
makes demands on the body‘s nutritional status (Walsh et al., 2003),the risk of
malnutrition increases significantly during the course of the infection. Good
nutrition cannot cure AIDS or prevent HIV infection, but it can help to
maintain and improve the nutritional status of a person with HIV/AIDS and delay
the progression from HIV to AIDS-related diseases (Piwoz and Preble, 2000). It
can therefore improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Nutritional care and support are important from the early stages of the
infection to prevent the development of nutritional deficiencies. A healthy and
balanced diet will help to maintain body weight and fitness. Eating well helps
to maintain and improve the performance of the immune system – the body‘s protection against
infection – and therefore helps a person to stay healthy (Bartlett, 2003). Many
of the conditions associated with HIV/AIDS affect food intake, digestion and
absorption, while others influence the functions of the body (Bartlett, 2003).
Many of the symptoms of these conditions (e.g. diarrhoea, weight loss, mouth
and throat sores, nausea or vomiting) are manageable with appropriate nutrition.
Goodnutrition will complement and reinforce the effect of any medication taken.
In Kaduna state, there are few data on the micronutrient
status,lipid profile, prevalence of underweight and overweight among PLWHA.
Hence, there is a need to study their nutritional status.
1.1 STATEMENT OF
PROBLEMS
Although weight loss and wasting remain common in HIV
infection, nutrition related problems such as obesity, diabetes,
hyperlipideamia and hypertension also increasingly affect people living with
HIV (Piwoz and Preble, 2000). A shift in causes of death from acute
opportunistic infections to other causes such as cardiovascular diseases,
diabetes and obesity indicates the need for a more comprehensive approach to
healthy nutrition for persons infected with HIV (Walsh et al., 2003).
Research has also revealed that micronutrients can modify the
course of viral infection and restore the functionality of the immune system
(Jariwalla et al., 2011).Studies conducted with both single and multiple
nutritional supplements have shown that micronutrients act to control HIV/AIDS
by; suppression of virus multiplication and spread, restoration of
cell-mediated immune responses and, slowing the rate of progression and
reducing the severity of AIDS (Jariwalla et al., 2011).
1.2 JUSTIFICATION
There are many publications on the epidemiology of the
HIV/AIDS and the factors fuelling the epidemic in Nigeria, but there is paucity
of data on the nutritionalstatus of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.Assessment
of nutrition and medical status is crucial to quality nutrition care for every
person living with HIV;therefore, there is a need to carry out a comprehensive study on the dietary
pattern, biochemical parameters, anthropometric characteristics and
micronutrient status for quality nutrition care for persons living with HIV in
Kaduna metropolis.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
1.3.1 Aim
To investigate the dietary pattern and nutritional status of
People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending voluntary and counseling test
(VCT) units of some Hospitals in Kaduna metropolis.
1.3.2 Specific
objectives
The specific objectives of the study are:
i. To assess the socio-economicand demographic characteristics
of People Living with HIV/AIDS attending voluntary and counseling test units in
Kaduna metropolis.
ii. To determine the anthropometric characteristics of People
Living with HIV/AIDS attending voluntary and counseling test units in Kaduna
metropolis.
iii. To assess some biochemical parameters of People Living with
HIV/AIDS attending voluntary and counseling test units in Kaduna metropolis.
iv. To correlate the micronutrient status with some biochemical
parameters of People Living with HIV/AIDS attending voluntary and counseling
test units in Kaduna metropolis.
v. To determine the dietary pattern of People Living with
HIV/AIDS attending voluntary and counseling test units in Kaduna metropolis.
For more Nutrition & Dietetics Projects Click here
================================================================Item Type: Project Material | Size: 88 pages | Chapters: 1-5
Format: MS Word | Delivery: Within 30Mins.
================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.