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