Intiful Freda D, Abdulai Hikmatu, Nyarko Ruth, Tette Edem, Asante Matilda
Department of Dietetics, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana.
Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Ghana.
Heliyon. 2021 Dec 18;7(12):e08636. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08636. eCollection 2021 Dec.
HIV infected children are at increased risk of malnutrition which worsens the depressed immune system, leading to poor disease prognosis.
To assess the nutritional status of children between 6-12 years on antiretroviral drugs (ARV) at two health facilities in Accra.
The study design was cross sectional among children between 6 and 12 years being administered with antiretroviral drugs at two hospitals in Accra. A purposive sample of 100 children was used. Height and weight measurements were taken and used to compute z-scores for stunting, underweight and wasting. Haemoglobin status was obtained from their folders. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data and a 24-hour dietary intake used to assess nutrient intakes. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. Nutrient analysis was done using Micro diet version 3.0. Data was summarized using means and percentages. Chi-squared test was used to test for associations and statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was reported as 28%, 16% and 13% respectively. Girls were more stunted and wasted compared to boys. Mean haemoglobin concentration was 10.12 ± 2.77 g/dl. Mild, moderate and severe anaemia were reported in 14.2%, 41.1% and 12.5% of the children respectively. Apart from carbohydrates, less than 50% of the children were able to meet their requirements for the other nutrients".
Our findings reveal high level of malnutrition among the children receiving ARV. There is the need for targeted nutrition interventions to improve the nutritional status of the children.
感染艾滋病毒的儿童营养不良风险增加，这会使本就低落的免疫系统更加恶化，导致疾病预后不良。
评估阿克拉两家医疗机构中6至12岁接受抗逆转录病毒药物（ARV）治疗的儿童的营养状况。
本研究为横断面研究，对象是阿克拉两家医院中6至12岁正在接受抗逆转录病毒药物治疗的儿童。采用了100名儿童的目的抽样。测量身高和体重，并用于计算发育迟缓、体重不足和消瘦的z评分。从他们的病历中获取血红蛋白状况。使用半结构化问卷获取社会人口学数据，并采用24小时饮食摄入量评估营养摄入情况。使用IBM SPSS 20.软件进行数据分析。使用Micro diet 3.0软件进行营养分析。数据采用均值和百分比进行汇总。使用卡方检验来检验相关性，设定统计学显著性为p < 0.05。
据报告，发育迟缓、体重不足和消瘦的患病率分别为28%、16%和13%。与男孩相比，女孩发育迟缓和消瘦的情况更为严重。平均血红蛋白浓度为10.12 ± 2.77 g/dl。分别有14.2%、41.1%和12.5%的儿童患有轻度、中度和重度贫血。除碳水化合物外，不到50%的儿童能够满足其他营养素的需求。
我们的研究结果显示，接受抗逆转录病毒治疗的儿童中营养不良水平较高。需要有针对性的营养干预措施来改善儿童的营养状况。
