ABSTRACT
Introduction: Behaviour change and the use of antiretroviral drugs have been the main focus of most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and control programs, with minimal focus given to the role of nutrition. Additionally, women are affected the most and have the responsibility to care for other family members. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design to determine the nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices of women living with I IN/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from women selected through systematic random sampling at a large I ITV treatment Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Results: The majority of the respondents in this study were less than 40 years (70%), married (67.2%), and had at least a secondary education (83.0%). The majority (59.7%) of the women earned less than USD 200 per month. Although knowledge of nutrition and attitude was poor, nutritional practices were good. Older women who were married and had at least a secondary education were found to have better knowledge of nutrition than their younger peers who were single and less educated. Education was also found to positively influence nutritional practice as having at least a secondary education was found to be significantly associated with good nutrition. Conclusion: This study showed that I fly positive mothers had poor knowledge and attitude to nutrition but relatively good nutritional practices. Nutrition education should be integrated into routine counselling at I IIV treatment centres, aimed at improving the knowledge and attitude to nutrition among HIV positive women.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Behaviour change and the use of antiretroviral drugs have been the main focus of most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and control programs, with minimal focus given to the role of nutrition. Additionally, women are affected the most and have the responsibility to care for other family members. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design to determine the nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practices of women living with I IN/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from women selected through systematic random sampling at a large I ITV treatment Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Results: The majority of the respondents in this study were less than 40 years (70%), married (67.2%), and had at least a secondary education (83.0%). The majority (59.7%) of the women earned less than USD 200 per month. Although knowledge of nutrition and attitude was poor, nutritional practices were good. Older women who were married and had at least a secondary education were found to have better knowledge of nutrition than their younger peers who were single and less educated. Education was also found to positively influence nutritional practice as having at least a secondary education was found to be significantly associated with good nutrition. Conclusion: This study showed that I fly positive mothers had poor knowledge and attitude to nutrition but relatively good nutritional practices. Nutrition education should be integrated into routine counselling at I IIV treatment centres, aimed at improving the knowledge and attitude to nutrition among HIV positive women.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low glycaemic index (GI) diets improve cardio-metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant individuals. We examined the feasibility of lowering GI through GI-based-education among Asian post-GDM women. Methods: A 3-month investigation was carried out on 60 Malaysian women with a mean age of 31.0±4.5 years and a history of GDM. Subjects were randomised into two groups: LGIE and CHDR. The CHDR group received conventional healthy dietary recommendations only. The LGIE group received GI based-education in addition to conventional healthy dietary recommendations. At baseline and after 3-months, dietary intake of energy and macronutrient intakes including GI diet and glycaemic load was assessed using 3-day food records. Diabetes-Diet and GI-concept scores and physical activity levels were assessed using a questionnaire. Adherence to dietary instructions was measured at the end of 3 months. Results: At the end of 3 months, the LGIE group had significant reductions in energy intake (241.7±522.4Kcal, P=0.037, ES=0.463), total carbohydrate (48.7±83.5g, P=0.010, ES=0.583), GI (3.9±7.1, P=0.017, ES=0.549) and GL (39.0±55.3, P=0.003, ES=0.705) and significant increases in protein (3.7±5.4g, 0.003, ES=0.685) and diet fibre (4.6±7.3g, P=0.06). The CHDR group had a significant reduction in fat only (5.7±9.4g, P=0.006, ES=0.606). There was a 30% increase in GI-concept scores in the LGIE group (p< 0.001). Changes in GI-concept scores correlated significantly to the reduction in dietary GI (r = -0.642, P=0.045). Dietary adherence was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: GI-education improves GI-concept knowledge and helps lower dietary glycaemic index among women with a history of GDM.