Magnitude Of Food Insecurity And Associated Factors Among People Living With Hiv At Public Hospitals Of West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is the main and modifiable cause of illness and death and a significant factor in the transmission of Human immune virus. Food insecurity and human immune virus are closely related and exacerbate each other in a vicious cycle due to a combination of behavioral and nutritional factors that increase susceptibility to and amplify the severity of each illness. Limited evidences are there on the level and associated factors of food insecurity among adult People living with human immune virus, specifically in the study area. Objective: To assess the magnitude of food insecurity and associated factors among adult people living with human immune virus at public hospitals in West shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025 Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025. Among 420 adults PLHIV selected using systematic random sampling technique attending ART follow up at public hospitals in West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. Data was entered using EPI Data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 27. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant factors, at p < 0.25 and p <0:05 respectively. Food insecurity was measured using House hold food insecurity access scale developed by Food and nutritional Technical Assistance. Results: Out of 420 study participants, 411 participated in the study making a response rate of 97.8%. The magnitude of food insecurity in this study were 59.6% [95% CI (54.8-64.7)]. Of which 10.7%, 30.4% and 18.5% were mildly, moderately and severely food insecure respectively. Factors significantly associated were being attending primary school [AOR = 6.71,95%CI (1.63-27.57)], monthly income < 2500 ETB [AOR=3.14,95%CI (1.00-9.81)], having difficulty on meeting household expenses [AOR=13.43,95%CI (5.51-32.73)], living in rent allowance [AOR=2.9,95%CI (1.17-7.67)], clinical stage3 &4[AOR= 4.66,95%CI (1.91-11.34)], cigarette smoker [AOR =3.6,95%CI (1.23-10.73)] and inadequate dietary diversity [AOR= 6.1,95%CI (2.77-13.83)] Conclusion: The magnitude of food insecurity among PLHIV was relatively high compared to previous research done in West shoa. Being attending primary school, monthly income ≤ 2500 ETB, living in rent allowance, WHO clinical stage3&4, cigarette smoking and inadequate dietary diversity were factors significantly associated with food insecurity. Strengthen the program of integrating nutrition program to HIV treatment and care, nutritional education, home gardening for variety of foods and facilitate affordable housing options as well as income generating activities and give special care for those at advanced clinical stage. Establishing rehabilitation center for smoking cessation support