Effects of Nutritional Counseling and Micronutrient Supplementation on Some Biochemical Parameters of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS in Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

The nutritional status of 290 randomly selected persons living with HIV and AIDS, who reported for anti retro viral therapy at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was evaluated. The study participants were randomly assigned subjects (78 females and 66 males), who received nutritional counseling and free daily micronutrient supplements and controls (76 females and 70 males), who did not receive. Their biochemical parameters (Serum albumin, packed cell volume, serum retinol and serum Vitamin C) were assessed at recruitment and the end of the four month study period. The results showed that there was significant difference (p< 0.05) in the mean gain in packed cell volume between the subjects and their control. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean gain in total serum protein between male subjects and control, however there was a significant difference (p< 0.05) in mean gain in serum protein between female subjects and female controls. The study also observed a significant difference (p< 0.05) in the mean gains in serum albumin; serum retinol and serum vitamin c levels respectively between subjects and their controls. It is recommended that in resource-limited settings all PLWHA should be given individualized nutritional counseling and micronutrient supplementation, when undergoing anti-retro viral therapy.