Nantaba, V. Prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity among HIV positive adults attending art clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital
Abstract
Introduction
The relationship between food insecurity and HIV/AIDS creates a vicious cycle through
nutritional, mental health and behavioral pathways. Food insecurity therefore can contribute to
and result from the progression of HIV. It is a potential important barrier to the success of
antiretroviral treatment, increased hospitalizations and higher morbidity among HIV- infected
individuals. Therefore the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and factors associated
with food insecurity among HIV positive adults attending ART clinic at Mulago National Referral
Hospital.
Objective
To determine the prevalence and factors associated with food insecurity among HIV positive
adults attending ART clinic at Mulago National Referral hospital.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 90 among adults attending ART clinic at
Mulago National Referral Hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was used to include
all participants. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data was entered into
Microsoft excel 2010 for analysis
Results
The study revealed that most of the respondents were female. Majority of the respondents were
between 30-39 years of age. The level of food insecurity among PLWHA receiving ART therapy
was 69%; mild (23.32%), moderate (29.09%) and severe (16.35).Poor income, being single, low
education status, smoking of cigarettes were predictors of food insecurity.
Conclusion
The prevalence of food insecurity was high. Educational status, low income (unemployment)
marital status, cigarette smoking, presence of anemia, and opportunistic infections were the
major significant factors affecting food insecurity