Morbidity and nutrition status of rural drug-naïve Kenyan women living with HIV

Bibliographic Data

ID15456438
AuthorsCharlotte G Neumann (University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author), Winstone Nyandiko (0000-0002-7639-9287, Moi University), Abraham Siika (0000-0001-7669-6612, AMPATH), Natalie Drorbaugh (Fielding Graduate University), Goleen Samari (0000-0002-9506-3586, The University of Texas at Austin), Grace Ettyang (Moi University), Judith A Ernst (Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis)
Year2016
Volume15
Issue3
Pages283-291
Publication date2016-09-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Journal of AIDS Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1608-5906 • E-ISSN: 1727-9445
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2989/16085906.2016.1205111
PMID27681152
OpenAlexW2526355052
LanguageEN
References cited46

This paper describes morbidity in a group of HIV-positive drug-naïve rural women in western Kenya. A total of 226 drug-naïve HIV-positive women were evaluated for baseline morbidity, immune function, and anthropometry before a food-based nutrition intervention. Kenyan nurses visited women in their homes and conducted semi-structured interviews regarding symptoms and physical signs experienced at the time of the visit and during the previous week and physical inspection. Blood and urine samples were examined for determination of immune function (CD4, CD8, and total lymphocyte counts), anaemia, malaria, and pregnancy status. Intradermal skin testing with tuberculin (PPD), candida, and tetanus toxoid antigens was also performed to evaluate cell-mediated immunity. Anthropometry was measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Seventy-six per cent of the women reported being sick on the day of the interview or within the previous week. Illnesses considered serious were reported by 13.7% of women. The most frequent morbidity episodes reported were upper respiratory tract infections (13.3%), suspected malaria (5.85%), skeletal pain (4.87%), and stomach pain (4.42%). The most common morbidity signs on physical inspection were respiratory symptoms, most commonly rhinorrhea and coughing. Confirmed malaria and severe diarrhea were significantly associated with a higher BMI

Anthropometry · Body mass index · Malaria · HIV Research and Treatment · HIV-related health complications and treatments · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Immunology · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics