TITLE:
Food Insecurity: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Adult Individuals Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in ART Clinics of Hosanna Town, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia
AUTHORS:
Mekuria Asnakew
KEYWORDS:
Anti-Retroviral Therapy, Food Insecurity, Human Immune Deficiency Virus, Hosanna
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.8,
August
21,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Food insecurity and poor nutritional status may hasten
progression to Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related illnesses,
undermine adherence and response to antiretroviral therapy, and exacerbate
socioeconomic impacts of the virus. There is a risk that declining food
security will lead some people to discontinue treatment, due to a lack of
adequate food. Little is known about prevalence and predictors of food insecurity
among adults people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Ethiopia context,
particularly at the study area. Objective: To determine prevalence of food insecurity
and identify its predictors among adult individuals receiving highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in ART clinics of Hosanna Town. Methods: A cross
sectional study was carried out from January 1, 2015 to February 30, 2015 in
health facilities of hosanna town. Data were collected by face-to-face
interview using structured pretested questionnaires and record review. I used
multivariable logistic regression model to identify predictors of food
insecurity among 385 adult people (≥18 years) attending ART Clinics of Hosanna
town. Results: Overall, the prevalence of food insecurity was (67.5%) among
people on HAART at the study area. Poor economic status [OR = 4.34 (95% CI;
(2.53 - 7.45))], middle economic status [OR = 4.1(95%CI;
(2.17 - 7.57))], educational status of secondary or lower [OR = 1.7 (95%CI;
(1.06 - 2.72))], absence of food support [OR = 2.35 (95%CI; (1.02 - 5.39))],
and unemployment [OR = (95%CI; 1.71 (1.06 - 2.74))] were significant and
independent predictors of food insecurity. Conclusions: People on HAART suffer
from a significant amount of Food insecurity at the study area. Absence of food
support, lower educational status, unemployment, poor and middle economic
status were independent predictors of food insecurity. Food insecurity interventions
should be an integral component of ART programs. Intervention initiatives
should address patients with lower educational status and unemployed; and also
should focus in improving socio-economic status and involving people on ART in
income generating g activities.