Effect of HIV and Nutritional Status on Pregnancy outcomes of Women attending Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Program at Nyanza Provincial General Hospital

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of HIV and nutritional status on pregnancy outcomes of women attending the Prevention of Mother-T 0-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV program at Nyanza Provincial General Hospital, Kenya. Descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was used. Purposive sampling procedure was employed to select pregnant women (n=l07) who had been tested into the study. Data were collected through an interview schedule, anthropometry and dietary indices, from HIV-positive (n=48) and HIV-negative (n=59) pregnant women. Maternal dietary intakes and anthropometric measurements were assessed. Dietary intakes were investigated using 24-Hour Diet Recalls and Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). Maternal Mid-Upper Arm Circumference was measured by the use of non-stretchable tape. Infants’ birth weights, gestational age, birth complications and still births were recorded immediately afler birth. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 11.0) was used to analyze data for descriptive statistics, regression and ANOVA while NutriSurvey computer program, analyzed dietary data. The results of the study showed that HIV-positive women gave birth to infants of low birth weight (2.70 =k 0.3799 kg) compared with their HIV-negative counterparts (3.16 =k 0.5307 kg). Gestational age of infants born to HIV-positive mothers was shorter (34.6 i 3.24 weeks) compared with that of infants bom to HIV-negative mothers (39.4 i 2.21 weeks). Maternal MUAC was a significant predictor of infants’ birth weight in HIV-positive mothers (P < 0.05) than in their HIV-negative counterparts. Magnesium, iron and folate had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on infants gestational age in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers. It was concluded that both HIV and nutritional status have efects on pregnancy outcomes. Designing and implementation of appropriate and relevant training materials on nutrition education can go along way in improving maternal health during HIV infection to ensure favorable pregnancy outcomes.