Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Relating To Nutrition Among People Living With Hiv/Aids (Plwha) In Ibadan And Shaki, Oyo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Nutrition plays a critical role in promoting the health of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Nutritional problems strongly predict illness or death among PLWHA. However, the knowledge, attitude and practices relating to adequate nutrition by this group of people have not been adequately explored in Nigeria. This study was therefore carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude and nutritional practices among PLWHA who were attending Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics in Ibadan and Shaki, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was cross-sectional in design. A total of 350 respondents were selected from two ART clinics: Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan (200) and State Hospital, Shaki (150) using systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of information on socio-economic characteristics, a 58-point knowledge scale [classified as poor (score < 29 points), fairly good (score 29 – 34 points), good (score 35 – 40 points) and very good (score ≥41)], Likert scale for attitude and a 22-point nutritional practice scale [classified as adequate (≥50%) and inadequate (