PAPER TITLE :ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

APPLIED TROPICAL AGRICULTURE | VOLUME 24 NUMBER 1 2019

Paper Details

  • Author(s) : Sodipo, M. A1.,Kayode, S.F.2,Anifowose, T.M2 and Ogbonna, O.C3
  • Abstract:

HIV is responsible for the malfunctioning of the immune system in the body. It stops the body's immune system from
functioning properly. HIV infections contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. This study was
conducted among HIV/AIDS children attending the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) clinic of
ObafemiAwolowo Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife in 2015. A questionnaire form which contains questions on patient's
demographic data and anthropometric measurement was used to assess their nutritional status. Weight and height
were used to calculate BMI. Data was analyzed using the inferential statistic of the Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS). Results shows that, majority of the respondents: were female (58.1%), age group between 7-9 years
(34.9%), Christians (60.53%), monogamy (66.7%), second born (39.5%), eat three times a day (67.5%), eat fruit
every day (62.2%), wasted (69.8%), stunted growth (62.7%) and underweight (69.8%). The majority of the children
eat three meals per day but it was not having impact on their growth. This may be as a result of not consuming the food
that has adequate nutrient or balanced diet. It was observed that majority of children living with HIV/AIDS have poor
growth and weight loss that leads to undernutrition. This may likely to accelerate disease progression, increase
morbidity and reduce survival. It can be concluded that the children living with HIV/AID needs to eat a balanced diet
and strictly adhere to the nutritionist's recommendation.
Key words: HIV/AIDS, children, questionnaire, anthropometric measurement