Malnutrition among patients suffering from HIV/AIDS in Kermanshah, Iran

Background: Inadequate food intake is one of the causes of malnutrition, which is an important complication of HIV and accelerates the progress of HIV toward acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Objective: The present study aimed to assess nutritional status of people with HIV/AIDS. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study recruited 340 people with HIV/AIDS visiting Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center in Kermanshah Province. Malnutrition was measured by body mass index (BMI). Food Frequency Scale was used to assess food intake, and the amounts of food intake were compared to recommended daily allowance (RDA). The data were analyzed in Stata-11 using Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and ANOVA tests. Results: Mean BMI among men and women was 22.12 +/- 3.75 kg/m(2) and 25.54 +/- 4.66 kg/m(2). The prevalence of BMI-based malnutrition was 42.21% (141 people). Of participating patients, 11.08% were underweight, 22.75% overweight, and 8.38% obese. Underweight was reported more prevalent in men than in women and also in singles than in married patients (P = 0.001). Intake of protein, folate, Vitamins A and E, and fiber was less than RDA in a significantly large number of patients. Vitamin A deficiency was more evident in men and folate and calcium deficiencies in women. Conclusion: The present study showed inadequate intake of micro- and macro-nutrients in patients with HIV/AIDS. Malnutrition was observed as varying degrees of underweight and overweight, which requires greater attention to and care for these patients.