Abstract:
OBJECTIVE : The focus of interventions for adults living with HIV (ALH) in Nigeria has
been mostly on prevention and provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) with little
consideration to nutrition-related matters. Therefore, the present study aimed
to improve the quality of life (QoL) and anthropometric status of ALH in
Abeokuta, Nigeria.
DESIGN : A quasi-experimental design where 200 conveniently selected participants
were stratified by gender and duration on ART. The intervention group (n 100)
received the nutrition education programme (NEP) for 12 weeks. The control
group received a brochure on nutrition guidelines for ALH. Socio-biographical
information, QoL and anthropometric status were assessed using previously
validated questionnaires and standard techniques at baseline, week 12 and
week 24. Generalised least squares (GLS) regression analysis was used for group
comparisons. Anthropometric status was summarised by gender.
SETTING : Two tertiary hospitals in Abeokuta, Nigeria.
PARTICIPANTS : ALH.
RESULTS : TheNEP led to significant improvement in the physical functioning (week 12
and 24: P < 0·01), role limitation due to physical health (week 12: P = 0·01; week 24:
P = 0·002) and pain (week 12: P = 0·01) constructs of the QoL of the intervention
group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference
(P = 0·07) between the mean weights of the two groups at baseline.
CONCLUSIONS : There was a significant improvement at week 12 and week 24 in the
QoL of the intervention participants. The results indicated that a tailored NEP could
make a positive contribution to the management of ALH.
