The Assess Ent of Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of People Living wth HIV Infection (PLWHI) Attending the UNTH Pepfar Clinic

The Assess Ent of Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of People Living wth HIV Infection (PLWHI) Attending the UNTH Pepfar Clinic

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice of the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending the UNTH PEPFAR Clinic. The research was a cross-sectional descriptive study, 400 questionnaires were used to collect information from the consenting patients who are HIV positive and not less than 20 years at the time of study. The findings of this study showed that only 16 (4%) were malnourished with a BMI of less than 18.5, 217(54.3%) were with in the range of normal weight with BMI18.5-24 .99, 128(32%) were overweight with a BMI > =25 and 36(9%) were obsessed with a BMI > or =30. Despite this, the research showed that there is poor knowledge, attitude and practice existing among these people living with HIV infection. Three hundred and forty (85%) respondents knew food consist of different classes, while 130(32.5%) knew the individual food classes by name (carbohydrate, protein, fat/oil, vitamins and minerals)and will be said to have the proper or correct knowledge of food classes. There is need to create and increase awareness through health education and counselling of the role of nutrition in the management of HIV infection among (PLWHI) by healthcare providers. Also there is need to incorporate the services of a registered dietician with expertise in HIV and AIDS who will provide nutritional assessments, counselling and education, ensure adequate nutrient intake and determine whether the client has adequate access to food.