Abstract:
Background: Underweight is the predominant global public health problems among HIV infected patients and it creates a vicious cycle which may catalyze progression from HIV infection to AIDS. In developing countries including Ethiopia, burden of underweight with HIV/AIDS among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy is very high and remain common public health challenges.
Objectives: To assess the magnitude of underweight and associated factors among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in Tulu Bolo Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among adults receiving anti-retroviral therapy from July 1 to 30, 2023 with total sample size of 307. Data collection was done by using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was entered into Epi-info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between dependent and independent variables. The statistical significances were declared based on p value ≤0.05 with adjusted odds ratio of 95% confidence interval to identify predictors of underweight.
Results: The total of 307 respondents were participated in the study and making response rate of 100%. Out of the total, 155 (50.5%) were female. The majority of the participants were from urban area 224 (73%). The overall magnitude of underweight among adults receiving anti-retroviral therapy was 14.3% (95% CI: 10.7, 18.6). Of all assessed factors; unable to read and write (AOR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.11), family size greater than five (AOR=2.34, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.06), opportunistic infection (AOR=1.60 95% CI: 1.25, 3.62), had no access to food aid (AOR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.06, 4.79) and frequency of diversified food consumption/day (AOR=3.80 95% CI: 1.26,10.34) were the independent predictors of underweight among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Conclusion: The magnitude of underweight among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy was 44 (14.3%) 95% CI of (10.7, 18.6) in the study area. In this study, being unable to read and write, family size, opportunistic infection, access to food aid and frequency of diversified food consumption/day were the identified predictors of underweight among adults with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy. Working on dissemination of information and appropriate education on adult nutrition during they receive antiretroviral therapy is important to improve underweight among adults with HIV/AIDS
