The significance of nutrition on patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy at Gelukspan District Hospital

Date
2010-03
Authors
Kachabe, Serguis Jim
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In our setting, Gelukspan district hospital situated in the North West province of South Africa, it is not routine that patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy are referred to a dietician for a diet prescription and nutrition advice. There are no protocols that exist for referral of patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy to a dietician. In the study medical records of 194 patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy were randomly selected. Half of them were referred to the dietician and they were matched with the other half that was not referred. The body mass indexes of both groups were calculated at the beginning of the study period and at the end and then the difference determined. It was noted that the body mass index difference for those that were referred to the dietician was significantly greater than those that were not referred. This means that it is important to refer patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy to a dietician in order to improve their nutrition status and recovery of their health.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Waar ons ons bevind, hier by die Gelukspan-distrikshospitaal in Suid-Afrika se Noordwes provinsie, is dit nie roetine dat pasiënte, wat met antiretrovirale terapie begin het, na 'n dieetkundige verwys word vir 'n dieetvoorskrif en advies oor voeding nie. Daar bestaan ook geen protokol vir die verwysing van pasiënte, wat met antiretrovirale terapie begin het, na 'n dieetkundige nie. Vir doeleindes van dié studie is die mediese rekords van 194 pasiënte, wat met antiretrovirale terapie behin het, na willekeur gekies. Die helfte van hulle is na 'n dieetkundige verwys en hulle is met die ander helfte, wat nie verwys is nie, vergelyk. Die liggaamsmassa-indeks van albei groepe is aan die begin en aan die einde van die studietydperk bereken en die verskil is onmiddellik daarna bepaal. Daar is bevind dat die liggaamsmassa-indeks van diegene, wat na die dieetkundige verwys is, beduidend groter was as hulle wat nie verwys is nie. Dit dui daarop dat dit belangrik is om pasiënte, wat begin het met antiretrovirale terapie, na 'n dieetkundige te verwys sodat hulle voedingstatus en gesondheidsherstel verbeter kan word.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
HIV positive persons -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Northwest Province, HIV/AIDS -- South Africa -- North Wset Province, Anitretroviral therapy -- South Africa -- Northwest Province, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management
Citation