Nutritional status and associated factors among adult on Antiretro-viral therapy in Gamo zone public health facilities, southern Ethiopia

Abstract Introduction: Nutritional status is continuing a major public health concern in low income countries. Now a day, sub-Saharan African countries are facing double burden of malnutrition. There are evidences on underweight among general population, but limited evidences on overweight/obesity among people living with HIV. Thus, this study is designed to assess nutritional status and associated factors among adult on antiretroviral therapy. Objective: To assess nutritional status and associated factors among adults on antiretroviral therapy in Gamo zone public health facilities, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to April 10, 2022, among systematically selected 414 adults on antiretroviral therapy. The data were collected by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, patient record review, and physical measurements. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. A p-value < 0.05 with its 95% CI was considered as a statistically significant and interpreted accordingly. Results: The magnitude of Underweight and Overweight/Obese were 28.3% (95% CI: 24.0-32.9)) and 13.3% (95% CI: 10.2–17.0)) respectively. Divorced (AOR = 3.71(1.345–7.496)), not finishing CPT (AOR = 2.96(1.41–6.231)), taking < 5 food groups (AOR = 2.87(1.574–5.266)), food insecure (AOR = 2.69(1.163–6.234)), and chewing khat (AOR = 2.78(1.09–7.114)) were significantly associated with underweight as compared to normal. Whereas, drinking alcohol (AOR = 1.61(1.09–3.61)), and monthly income of < 2000 ETB (AOR = 0.33(0.115–0.954)) were significantly associated with overweight/obese as compared to normal among adults on antiretroviral therapy. Conclusion: The magnitude of underweight among adult on Antiretro viral therapy is higher and magnitude of overweight/obese among adult on Antiretro viral therapy is lower as compared from most of the previous studies. Divorce, taking < 5 food groups, food insecured and chewing khat were factors for underweight, and income and alcohol drinking were factors for overweight/obese. Therefore, this finding shows the need to implement nutritional supplement and health education to improve the nutritional status of adults living with HIV in the study area.