Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106821

Caroline L. Skolnik, BA, HIV/AIDS research grants, Hektoen Institute for Medical Research, 1900 W. Polk, 1241, Chicago, IL 60612, Frank L. Mugisha, Kigali Institute of Education, 18 rue Akagera, Kigali, 5141, Rwanda, 08511353, franksmugisha@yahoo.com, Mardge Cohen, MD, The CORE Center of Cook County Hospital, 2020 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60304, and Kathryn Anastos, MD, Women Interagency HIV Study, Montefiore Medical Center, 3311 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467.

Background: An estimated 9% of Rwandans are HIV positive. Tremendous poverty and malnutrition exacerbate the health status of seropositive patients, impeding HAART treatment. Access to food is critical to successful antiretroviral programs in Rwanda.

Methods: Baseline BMI's were taken for a cohort of seropositive female patients (n=142) attending an HIV clinic in Kigali, Rwanda. Patients taking ARVs and non-ARV patients with BMI's <20.0 returned on a monthly basis to receive 25 kg of Corn Soya Blend. Monthly BMI and other nutritional data were collected during each visit. Changes in BMI accruing from the benefits of ARV therapy were controlled for by measuring changes in the non-ARV group.

Results: Data collected at the first month visit occurring 4 weeks after the initial baseline visit showed that BMI values increased on the average by 0.27 for a sample of 72 patients, while the median increase was 0.38. The following changes occurred: 5% of the sample experienced a decrease in BMI of more than 1.0, 8% experienced a decrease between 0.1-1.0, 26.3% experienced no change in BMI, 1% experienced an increase between 0.1-0.3, 30.5% experienced an increase between 0.31-0.5, 0% experienced an increase between 0.51-0.7, 18% experienced an increase between 0.71-1.0, 7% experienced an increase of 1.1-1.5 and 3% experienced an increase of more than 1.5.

Conclusion: After only the initial month of food aid to female ARV patients, significant changes in BMI occurred. These findings reiterate the need for integrating nutrition into ARV treatment initiatives in developing countries. HAART is not enough.

Learning Objectives:

• The objectives of this project are to examine Body Mass Index (BMI) changes that may occur in seropositive patients receiving ARV therapy and nutritional supplements. Receipt of food relief among seropositive patients and subsequent increases in BMI’s will serve as proof that some of the most basic human needs, notably nutrition, still need to be addressed in today’s public health efforts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.