Prevalence of undernutrition among children on anti-retroviral therapy at comprehensive specialized hospital: a cross-sectional study

Children living with humanimmuno deficiency virus (CLHIV) are particularly prone to undernutrition. Both HIV/AIDS and undernutrition can lead to progressive deterioration of the immune system, leading to serious opportunistic infections. As a result, undernutrition with CLHIV is associated with a two-fold increase in morbidity and mortality. Evidence on the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among CLHIV was still insufficient in the study area. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 CLHIV aged 6 months to 18 years at the anti-retroviral therapy clinic of the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. Data were collected using systematic random sampling from 1st March to 30th March 2022. The collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed. The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 56%. Undernutrition was significantly associated with a history of tuberculosis, the occupation of the caregiver being a merchant, duration of follow-up at ART clinics, poor dietary diversity and lower frequency of feeding. The prevalence of undernutrition among CLHIV was found to be high. Shorter duration of follow-up, occupation of caregiver being merchant, history of TB, low dietary diversity and lower frequency of feeding were significantly associated with undernutrition. We suggest that HIV/AIDS care services and ministry of health to give special concern, providing supplementary food to those vulnerable children. In addition, we suggest that those health organisations to deliver training and counselling to parents and caregivers regarding early initiation of ART, early identification of opportunistic infection and regular follow-up to clinic, nutritional support and feeding practice.