Sidikiba Sidibé
*
National Center for Training and Rural Health Research, Maferinyah; Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Alexandre Delamou
National Center for Training and Rural Health Research, Maferinyah; Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Mohamed Lamine Kaba
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea-Bissau.
Aboubacar Sidiki Magassouba
National Center for Training and Rural Health Research, Maferinyah; Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Amara Tabaouo Samake
National Center for Training and Rural Health Research, Maferinyah; Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Yao Serge Arthur Dongo
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Jean-Jacques Olivier Kadio
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Sandouno Sah Dimio
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Lansana Mady Camara
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-Stomatology, Gamal Abdel Nasser University, Conakry, Guinea.
Stella Babalola
Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States.
Abstract
Whereas the HIV prevalence in Guinea is among the lowest in Africa, many PLHIV in Guinea are malnourished. This study assessed the effect of a nutritional supplementation program on body mass index and CD4 count among adult PLHIV on ART. Study participants were PLHIV who came for consultation in the study sites between May and July 2016. The data came from two sources: retrospectively from participants’ medical records and interviews at the time of recruitment into the study. About six months before they were recruited into the study, some of the PLHIV started to receive a monthly nutritional supplementation consisting of Corn-Soy Blend and oil. Analytic methods included bivariate and multivariable methods. The intervention increased the mean BMI by 7.4% and the average current CD4 count by 4.7% compared to nonintervention (P<0.001). Programs in low resource settings should consider nutrition assistance as part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure optimal metabolic and immunological functions among PLHIV.