Level of micronutrient supplements uptake among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kayole, Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2017-04
Authors
Chege, Peter
Muthamia, Olive Gaceri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
Micronutrients reduce morbidity and slow the rate of disease progression and thus, micronutrient
supplementation in HIV is recommended. This study established the level of uptake of micronutrient
supplements among people living with HIV in Kayole, Nairobi County. A cross-sectional analytical
design was adopted on a comprehensive sample of 153 adults living with HIV, enrolled at
Comprehensive Care Centre in Kayole Health Centre. Data is described by use of percentages while
relationships are assessed using chi-square. Qualitative data from focus group discussions and key
informants was transcribed and analyzed to complement the quantitative findings. Results showed that
only 13.7% of the respondents were on micronutrients at the time of the study. The micronutrient
supplements commonly supplemented were vitamin and mineral mix (50.3%), zinc (34%), vitamin B6
(24.2%), vitamin A (24.2%), folate (12.4%), and iron (15%). The main reason for supplementation was;
those on Antiretroviral Therapy (66.7%), due to the presence of opportunistic infections (40.5%), those
who had no appetite (28.1%), underweight cases (21.6%) and those on tuberculosis treatment (17.0%).
The main reason for low uptake was due to stock outs at treatment centre (24.8%), the high cost of
supplements (13.7%) and side effects after intake (5.9%). Adults living with HIV are aware of the
importance of micronutrients and had taken micronutrient supplements at one point during the
treatment period. However, uptake at the time of the study was low. This was due to lack of guidelines
for supplementation, high cost of supplements, stock-outs in health facilities and side effects. This
study recommends proper education and sensitization on supplementation. Standard guidelines and
policies for micronutrient supplementation should be developed. A pull system should be adapted in
the supply of supplements
Description
Research Paper
Keywords
Micronutrients, supplementation, people living with HIV, Kenya, adults
Citation
Vol. 9(4), pp. 74-80, April 2017. Journal of AIDS and HIV Research