Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 5 Number 1 2022
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)
Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status Among People Living with HIV in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Implications for Clinical Microbiology and HIV Care
Nur Alam 1, A B M Nahid Hasan 2, Salaha Khatun 1, Mosaddekur Chowdhury 2, Niloy Roy 1, Roni Akhter 1, Priyanka Roy Simu 1, Jahid Hasan Jim 1, Asrafia Akter 1, Abdul Kaiyum Prodhan 1, Rume Akter 1, Riaz Rahman Shaikh 1, Sakila Akter 1, Kawsar-E-Jahan 1, Abdus S Mondol 1, Rokshana Rabeya 1*
Microbial Bioactives 5 (1) 164-170 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.513249
Submitted: 25 February 2022 Revised: 15 June 2022 Published: 20 June 2022
Abstract
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a major global infectious disease challenge, with disease progression and clinical outcomes being strongly influenced by host nutritional status and dietary diversity. In people living with HIV (PLHIV), poor nutrition may worsen immune suppression, increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections, and compromise recovery during long-term care. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and individual dietary diversity among PLHIV in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to examine associated socio-demographic factors relevant to HIV-related health vulnerability.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and December 2020 among 338 HIV-positive individuals attending all drop-in centers of CARE Bangladesh. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic and dietary variables, while Chi-square tests and bivariate logistic regression were applied to assess associations between nutritional status and selected background factors.
Results: Among the participants, only 3% had low individual dietary diversity scores (IDDS), whereas 82% had high and 16% had medium dietary diversity. Cereals and starchy roots were universally consumed, while organ meat was the least consumed food item (38.5%). Based on body weight status, 22.5% of participants were underweight, 6.5% were overweight, and 71% were within the normal range. Nutritional status was significantly associated with age (p = 0.011), education (p < 0.001), sex (p = 0.008), monthly income (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), and family structure (p = 0.014). Individuals aged 31–40 years showed a higher likelihood of malnutrition compared with those aged 18–30 years.
Conclusion: Although most PLHIV in this cohort demonstrated moderate-to-high dietary diversity and generally acceptable nutritional status, a substantial proportion remained underweight and nutritionally vulnerable. These findings highlight the importance of nutritional surveillance and dietary support as part of integrated HIV care, with implications for clinical and public health microbiology in infection-prone populations.
Keywords: HIV; Clinical microbiology; Nutritional status; Dietary diversity; Public health microbiology; People living with HIV (PLHIV)
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