Nutrient Adequacy among Alcohol-Dependent Patients Before and During Rehabilitation at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Chronic alcohol use disrupts nutrient intake, absorption, and utilization, often resulting in nutritional deficiencies. This should be addressed during rehabilitation. This study assessed the changes in dietary adequacy of selected nutrients before and during rehabilitation. A pre-experimental design (Pre-Test and Post-Test studies) was employed on 62 male respondents consecutively sampled. The interviewer administered a semi-structured questionnaire, and a food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information. The probability approach was used to estimate the proportion of inadequate intakes based on estimated average requirements (EAR). The mean nutrient values before and after rehabilitation were compared using the chi-square and t-test, and the results were considered significant at the 95% confidence level. The mean difference between the dietary intake before and after rehabilitation indicates that carbohydrates, proteins, Vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium and zinc decreased significantly during rehabilitation. The mean for Vitamin A increased significantly (P<0.001, t=4.467) while thiamine decreased but not considerably (P=0.554, t=0.598). When compared to EAR, the mean intake of all the selected nutrients was adequate, except for vitamin A. The probability of inadequate nutrient intake (PINI) was high for the micronutrients calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, magnesium, folate, and zinc. When compared to the EAR, the mean intake of all the nutrients was adequate except for vitamin A during the initial encounter. During the second encounter, the PINI was the highest in vitamin C, folate, calcium, and magnesium, all of which were 100% inadequate; in addition, these nutrients were significantly below the EAR. The findings of this study revealed that those suffering from alcohol dependency experience varying degrees of nutritional deficiencies, emphasizing the critical role of nutritional support during their recovery in rehabilitation centers.