Preferences for food and nutritional supplements among adult people living with HIV in Malawi

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15096857
AutoresSantiago Rodas-Moya (0000-0002-7851-3645, World Food Programme, autor correspondente), Stephen R Kodish (0000-0003-0929-3252, World Food Programme), Stephen Kodish, Mark J Manary (0000-0003-2733-9568, University of Malawi), Mark Manary, Nils Grede (W WF-I nd on es ia), Saskia de Pee (0000-0002-0138-7118, Tufts University)
Ano2016
Volume19
Fascículo4
Páginas693-702
Data de publicação2016-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980015001822
PMID26054934
OpenAlexW1921155577
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas35

Objective To elucidate the factors influencing food intake and preferences for potential nutritional supplements to treat mild and moderate malnutrition among adult people living with HIV (PLHIV). Design Qualitative research using in-depth interviews with a triangulation of participants and an iterative approach to data collection. Setting The study was conducted in a health clinic of rural Chilomoni, a southern town of Blantyre district, Malawi. Subjects Male and female participants, aged 18–49 years ( n 24), affected by HIV; health surveillance assistants of Chilomoni clinic ( n 8). Results Six themes emerged from the in-depth interviews: (i) PLHIV perceived having a poor-quality diet; (ii) health challenges determine the preferences of PLHIV for food; (iii) liquid–thick, soft textures and subtle natural colours and flavours are preferred; (iv) preferred organoleptic characteristics of nutritional supplements resemble those of local foods; (v) food insecurity may contribute to intra-household sharing of nutritional supplements; and (vi) health surveillance assistants and family members influence PLHIV’s dietary behaviours. No differences by sex were found. The emergent themes were corroborated by health surveillance assistants through participant triangulation. Conclusions In this setting, a thickened liquid supplement, slightly sweet and sour, may be well accepted. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection should follow to further develop the nutritional supplement and to fine tune the organoleptic characteristics of the product to the taste and requirements of PLHIV. Results of the present study provide a first approach to elucidate the factors influencing food intake and preferences for potential nutritional supplements among adult PLHIV

Biology · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Malnutrition · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Taste · Child Nutrition and Water Access · HIV-related health complications and treatments · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Food Science · Gerontology