Magnitude and associated factors of under-nutrition among HIV-positive lactating women attending public health institutions in Bahir Dar city, North West Ethiopia

Human Immune Virus (HIV) infection affects the maternal nutrition status. The co-existence of HIV and lactation further enhances the nutrient requirements of women and failure to meet this requirement influences her own and her children’s health. There is limited research on the extent and contributing factors of undernutrition among HIV-positive lactating mothers in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the magnitude of undernutrition and determine its associated factors among HIV-positive lactating women receiving care at public health facilities in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out from March 10 to April 20, 2020, involving 392 lactating mothers selected through a consecutive sampling method. Data collection was performed using a structured, pretested questionnaire administered by interviewers. The data were initially entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and later exported to SPSS version 23 for further statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors linked to undernutrition, with statistical significance determined at a p-value of less than 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals. Adjusted odds ratios were used to interpret the strength and direction of associations between the dependent and independent variables. The prevalence of under nutrition among HIV-positive lactating women was 29.7%. Being in the age of 20–29 years (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.13, 4.23), poor wealth index (AOR 2.76, 95% CI 1.2, 6.4), inadequate dietary diversity score (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.13, 4.31), poor hygienic practice (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.09, 4.45) and WHO clinical stage II and III (AOR 10.71, 4.94,23.21, AOR 6.85, 95% CI 2.12, 22.29 respectively) were significant factorsassoCIated to under nutrition. Under nutrition in HIV-positive lactating women was found to be high. Maternal age, wealth index, dietary diversity, hygienic practice, and WHO clinical stage were significant factors assoCIated to under nutrition. Thus, it is better to do more on; enhanCIng income-generating activities, improving hygienic practice, and proper treatment to enhance clinical improvement of HIV-positive lactating women.