Nutrition & HIV/AIDS
Research Abstracts
Oral And Poster Presentations 1993-1996
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Meyer SA. Determining the Nutritional
Risk Status of the HIV-Challenged. Florida Dietetic Association,
Palm Beach FL. 1996
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| A review of the literature reveals
that a large percentage of HIV-challenged people experience malnutrition
and nutrition-related complications. Assessment of current nutritional
risk factors is essential to help clients avoid or delay nutrition-related
complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence
of nutritional risk factors occurring in HIV-positive individuals. The
"Nutritional Health Checklist", a 10- item nutritional risk screening tool
designed for HIV- challenged individuals, was distributed to clients of
a local AIDS service organization. Responses were tallied and percentages
were calculated. Results disclosed that out of 538 clients: * 47% eat alone
most of the time; * 45% eat few fruits, vegetables, or milk products; *
44% feel they do not eat enough protein everyday; * 35% lost ten pounds
or more in the last six months; and * 27% have tooth or mouth problems
that make it hard for them to eat. A total of 29% stated that they were
not always physically able to care for themselves. The most commonly noted
risk factors were polypharmacy (67%), limited financial resources (64%),
and decreased number of mealtimes (54%). The question with the least number
of positive responses (12%) was related to daily alcohol consumption. The
maximum total risk score was 21. Few clients (10%) were in good nutritional
health, 15% were found to be at moderate risk and 75% at high nutritional
risk. Mean nutritional risk score was 9.2 which is within the high nutritional
risk range of six or more. Greater than 44% scored between 11 and 21. This
study indicates that a large portion of the clients at this AIDS service
organization are at increased nutritional risk. |
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Walgren ME, Chapman T, Meyer SA,
Williams DM. Step II: Developing The Framework Of The Florida HIV\AIDS
Nutrition Network. Florida Dietetic Association,
Orlando, FL. 1995
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| At the 1994 Florida Dietetic Association Annual Meeting
we presented a poster on the need to develop a HIV/AIDS nutrition networking
group. A Steering Committee was formed to develop a proposed mission/vision
statement, objectives, committee structure and a list of potential members.
A membership database was developed and distributed to dietetic professionals
currently working with the HIV/AIDS community. The Florida HIV/AIDS Nutrition
Network meets every other month at various locations, for the purpose of
information sharing, increased awareness of community HIV programs, networking
with other health care professionals and promotion of the RD/DTR as the
appropriate resource for accurate nutrition information and education.
We are currently in the process of establishing committees to address our
immediate and long-term goals. |
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Meyer SA. Knowledge Retention
of People With HIV
After Review of a Basic Nutrition Handout.
The American Dietetic Association, Orlando, FL. 1994
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| The Year 2000 Health
Objectives, which includes a focus to further nutritional education, prompted
this study of people with HIV (PWHIV). Effective teaching methods
and measurement of a client's nutrition knowledge base are essential to
meet this goal. A survey was conducted to: 1) ascertain if a handout
can be a effective educational tool and; 2) determine the retention of
basic nutrition knowledge (BNK) held by PWHIV after distribution of the
handout. "Nutrition Facts" answered the questions on an anonymous
participant 16-item BNK survey. The handout was provided to clients
of a local food bank which serves PWHIV for the five months prior to survey
distribution. Surveys from 138 clients were reviewed. A total of
32 (23%) usable surveys were tallied and percentages were calculated.
Most clients (91%) believed poor nutrition could affect HIV progression
yet only 69% saw a nutrition counselor. Calorie/protein needs were known
by 66%. Meat was thought of as a good source of carbohydrates by
59%. Sixty-six percent thought: * the body needed more protein than carbohydrate
or fat, * fat was only a good source of calories and * the more vitamins
they consumed the better their body would be. Dairy products were
perceived as a good mineral source by 75% and 69% believed that meat was
the best source of iron. Eating protein to help the body absorb certain
vitamins and washing fruits and vegetables was advocated by 97%.
Soluble fibers were known to help in the control of diarrhea by 88%.
Ninety-seven percent knew water helped to regulate body temperature yet
only 75% believed they should increase water intake during bouts of diarrhea.
Clients who had not seen a nutrition counselor scored higher correct responses
to nine of the 13 nutrition related questions. Many clients had not read
the BNK handout prior to the survey period. The results suggest handouts
may not be a effective mode of nutrition education unless utilized with
individual consults and/or classes. Retention of BNK in this survey
group may not be ideal after review of a handout. |
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Chapman
T, Meyer SA, Williams D. Motta. The Need for the Establishment of
a Network for Dietetic Professionals Dealing with HIV/AIDS Care. Florida
Dietetic Association, Palm Beach, FL. 1994
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| The number of cases
of HIV/AIDS is increasing at an alarming rate, particularly in many cities
within Florida. The importance of good nutrition in the immune-compromised
patient is becoming more prominent in the literature and in the minds of
the medical practitioners dealing with HIV care. As a consequence, more
dietitians and dietetic technicians are assuming a key role in the care
of these individuals. There is much information (whether correct,
incorrect, or questionable) being circulated among the HIV community.
To "sift" through and keep abreast of this vast array of information is
difficult for any one person to do, therefore, there exists the need to
assemble a network of dietetic practitioners dealing with HIV care to coordinate
efforts and take an assertive role in the assessment and education of the
HIV -infected individual. |
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Meyer
SA. Measuring the Potential for Malnutrition in
People with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Florida Dietetic Association, Palm Beach, FL. 1994
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| Malnutrition in
people with the human immunodeficiency virus (PWHIV) is well documented.
Nutritive intake and eating habits play a critical role in maintaining
optimal nutrition status. PWHIV may be unable to choose and eat a varied
diet if they do not possess adequate nutrition knowledge. Last year, the
author reported on a study concerning basic nutrition knowledge held by
PWHIV. Upon completion of the study period nutrition education handouts
were distributed. The purpose of this second study was to: (1) determine
if clients continued to have a lack of basic nutrition knowledge and; (2)
compare basic nutrition knowledge held by clients from both study groups
who reported nutrition consults (NC's). Survey questions in relation to
nutrients were identical in both studies. Clients were asked to answer
yes or no to each question on the survey. The surveys were tallied and
percentages were calculated. Study Group One (n=115) consisted of clients
who completed the first nutrition survey. Group Two (n=60) clients had
not participated in the first study. Greater than 90% of all clients believed
that poor nutrition affected disease progression yet only 36% (n=41) of
Group One and 32% (n=19) of Group Two noted NC's. Of the clients who reported
NC's less than 75% identified the correct responses to questions concerning
fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Energy/protein needs were known by
42% of Group One compared to 61% of Group Two. Clients in Group One scored
a higher number of correct responses to eight out of 12 basic nutrition
questions. The author concludes that a lack of basic nutrition knowledge
persists in these PWHIV. The potential for malnutrition is exacerbated
by a lack of basic nutrition knowledge. Results indicate PWHIV need early
and effective nutrition education to decrease their potential for malnutrition. |
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Meyer
SA. The Extent and Source of Nutrition Knowledge in People with HIV
(PWHIV)
in Broward County Florida.
Florida Dietetic Association, Tarpon Springs, FL. 1993
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| A survey was developed
to test nutrition knowledge of PWHIV and assess whether clients had seen
a nutrition counselor (NC). Surveys from 164 anonymous clients were tallied
and percentages were calculated. Respondents were divided into two groups:
clients who saw a NC (36%) and clients who did not (64%). Most clients
(greater than 88%) believed nutrition affected disease progression. Increased
water intake was considered important during bouts of diarrhea by 60% of
Group 1 versus 68.5% of Group 2. Calorie/protein needs were known by 57%
of Group 1 versus 36.5% of Group 2. Excess vitamin supplements were advocated
by 65% of Group 1 versus 68.5% of Group 2. Washing vegetables and fruits
scored 96% for Group 1 versus 95% for Group 2. Groups identified less than
70% of correct responses to questions concerning carbohydrate, protein,
and fat. Dairy products were perceived as a good mineral source by 63.5%
of Group 1 versus 71% of Group 2. Reasons for not consulting a NC included
lack of knowledge about location (91.5%) and cost (68%). Results suggest:
1) basic nutrition knowledge may not be possessed by PWHIV; 2) nutrition
knowledge differed little between the two groups; and 3) Group 2 was either
unaware of where to find a NC or thought consults too costly. PWHIV will
benefit from early nutrition intervention. |
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National
HIV Nutrition Guidelines
Return
To Research Abstracts 1996-1998
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