Evaluation of the nutritional status of infants from mothers tested positive to HIV/AIDS in the health district of Dschang, Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Poor infant feeding practices are common in Africa, resulting in physical and intellectual developmental impairments. Good feeding practices are crucial, especially in the first year of growth. HIV/AIDS has worsened the clinical and nutritional status of both mothers and their children, exacerbating high rates of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to assess by participative approach, the nutritional status of infants from mothers tested positive to HIV in the health district of Dschang.


METHODS
This is a cross sectional study with a period of recruitment of 2 years (2010-2012). Data Collection was done by the aim of a personal slip followed by training to strengthen the nutritional and hygienic capacity of targeted parents. Height and weight of infants were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated.


RESULTS
Significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was noticed in height-for-age z-score (HAZ) of girls aged between 1 to 2 years compared to 1-year old girls as well as to boys of all ages, defining them as stunted. Furthermore, the weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) results indicate that both girls and boys of all age are in moderate state of malnutrition. The results of BMI thinness classified according to gender and age groups, indicates that most infants (68/130, 52.3%) showed grade 2 thinness predominantly in 2-years old both boys and girls. However, no participants fall within the normal category for age and sex, as well as overweight and obesity categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Undernutrition exists among infants from mothers tested positive to HIV residing in Dschang, as most of the infants are underweight, and malnourished.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Martin Sanou
MS
Sobze
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon ; Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma, Italia.
Raoul Guetiya
RG
Wadoum
Chantal Biya International Reference Centre (CIRCB) for research on HIV/AIDS prevention and management, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Edith
E
Temgoua
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Jean-Hubert
JH
Donfack
Soledad Medical Institute (IMES).
Lucia
L
Ercoli
Department of public health of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma, Italia.
Ersilia
E
Buonomo
Chantal Biya International Reference Centre (CIRCB) for research on HIV/AIDS prevention and management, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Joseph
J
Fokam
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Bruna Djeunang
BD
Dongho
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
James-Francis
JF
Onohiol
Soledad Medical Institute (IMES).
Yannick
Y
Zefack
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
François Ngoufack
FN
Zambou
Department of comparative Biochemistry and morphological science, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italia.
Alberto
A
Cresci
Department of tropical and infectious disease, University of Rome La Sapienza, Roma, Italia.
Gianluca
G
Russo
Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma, Italia.
Vittorio
V
Colizzi
D001827:Body Height; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology*
Body Mass Index; HIV/AIDS; Nutritional status; infants