The nutritional well-being of children under five with HIV-positive parents at Bikurungu Health Center III in Rukungiri District

Abstract

Families affected by HIV/AIDS often face food insecurity and malnutrition. In impoverished nations, over a third of infectious disease-related deaths in children under five result from poor nutrition. Household food insecurity and the impact of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses can hinder the growth of young children, leading to increased malnutrition. A study involving 310 mother/infant pairs from various households was conducted using a convenient sampling method. Information was gathered through a structured questionnaire. Analysis revealed that children in households affected by HIV had a significantly higher rate of stunting (height-for-age < –2 SD) compared to those in unaffected households (25.5% vs. 9.1%, p = .002). However, the rates of wasting and underweight did not significantly differ between HIV-affected and unaffected households. Living in households affected by HIV is associated with stunted growth in children under five. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Children under 5 years of age, Malnutrition, Stunting