Nutrition status of children under ten years of age living with HIV-AIDS in Temeke Municipality, Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Malnutrition is a common problem among children living with HIV/AIDS. Several studies have shown that there are high prevalence's of underweight and stunting among children living with HIV/AIDS. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of under-weight and stunting by sex among children under-ten years of age living with HIV/AIDS in Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam. I also attempted to ascertain whether nutrition knowledge of care-takers, foods reportedly consumed frequently and other factors were associated with nutrition status of these children.

Proportionate sampling was used on each clinic to obtain 230 HIV infected children less than 10 years of age. The children were conveniently selected together with their care-takers. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge and medical history were collected using a structured questionnaire. A short food frequency questionnaire was also administered. Anthropometric measurements were taken for children whose parent/caretaker consented.

There was no significant difference in the prevalence of underweight (25% boys vs. 34% girls; P=0.92) by sex among children 5-10 years of age. Similarly, the prevalence of under-weight (52.7% boys vs. 40% girls; p=0.29) and stunting (56.4% boys vs. 66.7% girls; p=0.6) among under-five children showed no significant difference between the sexes.

The proportion of caretakers who had appropriate knowledge on nutrition for HIV infected children was 61.7% and those with low or no knowledge was 38.3%. Nutrition knowledge was higher among caretakers who received nutritional counselling after their child tested HIV than among those who did not (P <0.001). The only factor which was found to be associated with nutrition status among under- fives was use of anti-retroviral therapy (ARV), where children not on ARV were three times more likely to be stunted compared to children on ARV (OR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.21-8.84; P = 0.02). More than 90% of the children were able to get at least one carbohydrate food daily and at least one protein food more than four times a week. But, about 35% and 45% of the children were not consuming vegetables and fruits daily, respectively.

Government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and Community-Based Organizations are recommended to encourage provision of nutritious foods to children with HIV/AIDS when addressing the IIlV/AIDS pandemic. Nutrition counselling and nutrition education should be the basic component in care and treatment centres. ARV should be made available to children accordingly. Further studies on meal frequencies to find out if required daily allowances (RDA's) are being met are recommended.