Retention and Treatment Outcomes of an Undernutrition Program for HIV patients involving Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food at Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Introduction: Despite global efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger, under-nutrition is still a major health problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is also a serious burden. Aim: To assess the retention and outcomes of under-nutrition treatment program in Gondar U...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2016-08-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/8294/19875_CE[Ra]_F(P)_PF1(ROAK)_PFA(AK)_PF2(PEK).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: Despite global efforts to eradicate poverty and
hunger, under-nutrition is still a major health problem, especially
in Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is also a
serious burden.
Aim: To assess the retention and outcomes of under-nutrition
treatment program in Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia.
Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted
in HIV positive children and adults participating in the Readyto-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) treatment program at Gondar
University Hospital ART clinic for one year from November 2012
to November 2013.
Materials and Methods: Six hundred and thirty six patient
records were followed-up for one year. Outcome variables were
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) values measured as
severe, moderate acute malnutrition, normal after treatment,
non-respondent, relapsed and lost to follow-up using the
hospital records of HIV positive children and adults eligible for
the program.
Statistical Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis
were performed to compute Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and
Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR). Statistical significance was set at
p-value<0.05.
Results: Among 636 clients, 44.2% achieved MUAC measures
≥ 125 mm for children and ≥ 21 cm for adults at 4 and 6 months.
70.1% of those were children while 29.9% of the 281 were
adults. Moreover, a more positive initial response to ready-touse therapeutic food was found among children as there was
significant increase (p<0.05) in MUAC value after the second
month of initiating treatment while adults achieved a significant
(p<0.05, p<0.01) in MUAC at the 4th and 6th month respectively.
There was a significant association between age, nutrition
status and treatment outcome, while sex, HIV status, education
and residency were not associated with treatment outcome.
Conclusion: Recovery and weight gain rates were below 50%.
Defaulter rates were higher than the Sphere standards and
recovery was better in children than adults. Integrated RUTF and
HIV program and strict follow-up and education or counselling
of HIV positive patients should be strengthened. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |