Characteristics and nutritional counseling needs among HIV outpatients in Ho Chi Minh city

Introduction: Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall health and can influence treatment effectiveness as well as disease progression, particularly in HIV patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 outpatients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). A consecutive sampling method was employed to select all eligible HIV patients during the study period. Patients were then face-to-face interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and relevant data were also extracted from their medical records. The questionnaire included information on demographic characteristics, nutritional characteristics, and nutritional counseling needs. Results: The percentage of patients who reported receiving nutritional assessment and counseling at the initiation of ART was 34.5% and 27.7%, respectively. During ART, 76.0% of patients reported having been assessed for nutritional status, and 33.9% reported receiving nutritional counseling. A total of 55.4% of patients expressed a need for nutritional counseling, and this rate did not differ based on gender, age, or duration of ART. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of integrating nutritional counseling into routine HIV care to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. Given the high demand for nutritional support across all patient groups, healthcare facilities should prioritize this aspect in their ongoing efforts to effectively manage HIV. Keywords: Nutrition, nutritional status, nutritional counseling, HIV, ARV