Authors: Ndirangu, Murugi; Wariero, James O.; Sachs, Sonia Ehrlich; Masibo, Peninah; Deckelbaum, Richard J.

Source: Food & Nutrition Bulletin, Volume 32, Number 2, June 2011 , pp. 159-167(9)

Publisher: Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation

Abstract:

Background. Households affected by HIV/AIDS are at an increased risk for food insecurity and malnutrition. Poor nutrition contributes to more than a third of all deaths associated with infectious diseases among children under 5 years of age in developing countries. With increased household food insecurity, and a greater disease burden associated with HIV/AIDS, the growth of children under five could be impacted, resulting in increased malnutrition for this vulnerable group.

Objective. To determine whether there is an association between the type of household (HIV-affected compared with HIV-unaffected) and the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age residing in these households.

Methods. The study was set in a Millennium Village Project site in western Kenya and used a cross-sectional design to compare the stunting, wasting, and under-weight status among 102 and 99 under-five children living in HIV-affected and -unaffected households, respectively. Height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-age z-scores were calculated based on the World Health Organization growth standards and compared. Proportions, means, and standard deviations were used to describe the data. The data were analyzed with the use of the chi-square test for comparison of proportions and the independent t-test for comparison of means.

Results. Children in HIV-affected households had a significantly higher degree of stunting (height-for-age < - 2 SD) than children in unaffected households (25.5% vs. 9.1%, p = .002). The degree of wasting and under-weight did not differ significantly between HIV-affected and -unaffected households.

Conclusions. Residing in HIV-affected households is associated with stunting in children under 5 years of age.

References: 9 references open in new window

Articles that cite this article?

Keywords: AFRICA; FOOD SECURITY; HIV; STUNTING

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2011-06-01

More about this publication?

• Established in 1978, the Food and Nutrition Bulletin (FNB) is a peer-reviewed journal published quarterly by the Nevin Scrimshaw International Nutrition Foundation in association with the United Nations University.
  
  The focus of the journal is to highlight original scientific articles on nutrition research, policy analyses, and state-of-the-art summaries relating to multidisciplinary efforts to alleviate the problems of hunger and malnutrition in the developing world.
  
  Food and Nutrition Bulletin's 2011 Impact Factor: 1.922
  
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Submit a Paper
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Rights and Permissions
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Nutrition & Food
• By this author: Ndirangu, Murugi ;  Wariero, James O. ;  Sachs, Sonia Ehrlich ;  Masibo, Peninah ;  Deckelbaum, Richard J.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers