Abstract:
Background: Food insecurity has adverse outcomes among people living with HIV in Africa that
operates through nutritional, mental and behavioral mechanisms. Although several studies have
been done in the subject area, due to dynamic nature of food insecurity that changes from place to
place and time to time, this study is needed.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of food insecurity and associated factors among adult HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at public health facilities in Ambo town.
Methods: An institution-based cross sectional study was conducted at public health facilities in
Ambo town, from March 1-31, 2023 on 414 adults on antiretroviral therapy who were selected by
systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected by structured questionnaire using face
to face interview approach. Data was entered by using Epi-data version 4.2 and exported to SPSS
Windows version 26 for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics was analyzed by using
frequencies, measures of central tendency and measures of variability. Tables, graphs and figures
were used to present the information of respondents. To identify associated factors of food
insecurity, each variable in the bi-variable logistic regression analysis with p value <0.25 was
selected to build the multi-variable logistic regression analysis. The adjusted odds ratio and 95%
confidence interval were estimated to measure the strength of the association and p-value of < 0.05
on the final model was used to indicate statistical significance.
Result: - The magnitude of food insecurity among adults on antiretroviral therapy was 84.5%
(95% CI: 80.7, 87.9) from which 30%, 37.7% and 16.9% was mild, moderate and severe food
insecure respectively. Rural residence (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.55), being unmarried (AOR
= 2.86, 95% CI: 1.17, 6.99), being house wife (AOR = 4.56, 95% CI: 1.25, 16.73), family size >
6 members (AOR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.04, 14.91), household monthly income <5350 birr (AOR =
5.54, 95% CI: 1.46, 21.10) and presence of monetary debt (AOR = 4.75, 95% CI: 1.80, 12.55)
were significantly associated with food insecurity among adult HIV infected patients.
Conclusion: - Magnitude of household food insecurity among adult HIV infected patients on
antiretroviral therapy was very high. Residence, marital status, occupation, family size, household
monthly income and presence of monetary debt were independent predictors associated with
household food insecurity among adult HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Therefore,
income generations, empowering women, strengthening small scale urban agriculture and linking
food insecure households to targeted healthcare services is important.
