Nutritional Status of HIV Clients Receiving HAART: Its Implication on Occurrence of Opportunistic Infection

We aimed to assess the effects of nutritional status on occurrences of opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patients using antiretroviral therapy at Jimma University Specialized Hospital.

We conducted a retrospective study on 340 adults who were taking antiretroviral therapy and the patients were followed for 2 years after they commence treatment. Medical Chart review was done from January 30 to February 28, 2014. SPSS for windows version 21 was used to analyze the data. The data was analyzed by SPSS for windows version 21.Time to occurrence of opportunistic infection was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox-proportional Hazard model was used to identify predictors of opportunistic infections.

Eighty three [24.4%] patients developed opportunistic infection after initiation of highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Fifty five [66.3%] patients were from malnourished group. Malnutrition, Stavudine based regimen, Zidovudine based regimen and taking isoniazid prophylaxis were associated with greater hazard of developing opportunistic infections.

Malnutrition was significant predictor of opportunistic infections. Malnourished patients were associated with high risk and early development of opportunistic infections.