Abstract

In patients with HIV infection, wasting has been associated with increased mortality. Even in the era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), accelerated disease progression, loss of muscle protein mass, and impairment of strength and functional status are common. However, data on the magnitude of wasting and its risk factors among individuals receiving HAART are scarce in Ethiopia. The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of wasting and identify associated factors among adults on HAART at anti-retroviral therapy clinics of Hosanna town. Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 20 to April 30, 2014 among 410 adult people on (HAART) at ART health clinics of Hosanna town. Sample clients were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by face to face, record review using check list and weight scale measurement. Descriptive statistics, Bi-variate and multivariable logistic regression models were done using SPSS version 16 to identify factors associated with wasting. In total, 410 adult people on HAART participated in the study giving a response rate of 97.56%. The overall magnitude of wasting in this study was 37.1%. Food insecurity (AOR= 2.1, 95% CI: 1.28- 3.34), inadequate diversified diet (AOR= 2, 95% CI: 1.18- 3.38), low meal frequency (AOR= 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1- 4.47) and presence of opportunistic infections (AOR= 2.27, 95% CI: 1.47- 3.49) were independent predictors of wasting. Wasting was found to be high (37.1%) among adults on anti-retroviral therapy at ART Clinics of Hossana town. ART intervention should be supported by strategies that can address household food security, nutritional practices and prevention and control of opportunistic infections to improve the health status of people on HAART.

Key words: Anti-retroviral therapy, HIV/AIDs, wasting, weight loss, Hosanna, town clinic.