Nutritional status of Zambia population groups and Zambian patients with HIV-associated disease

Abstract

A study aimed at finding whether there are significant differences in the nutritional status of Zambian controls compared with AIDS and PGL patients was undertaken at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka and Saint Francis Hospital, Katete, respectively. ft total of 149 Zambians were examined and their measurements of weigh, height, midarnB circumference and triceps skinfold thickness were recorded. Blood samples were analysed for HIV antibodies, total serum proteins and albumin. At the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), 27 patients were compared with 46 controls. The £7 patients consisted of 11 AIDS patients and 16 P'BL. patients. The controls consisted of 16 medical controls and 30 clinically health Zambian controls. At Saint Francis Hospital CSFH) 15 were AIDS patients, 3O medical controls and 3O casualty controls. & mean ages in years and ranges (UTH); AIDS patients 39.6 yssars «e^-7O)» P6L 87.8 years C19-3O), medical controls 39.0 years CE%-70), and casualty controls S7.7 years <18-6O). The weights in kilograms and their ranges (UTH); AIDS patients S fcg (43,. 1-68), PGL 57.7 (38-81), and casualty controls 59.6K The heights and ranges in centimetres (UTH); AIDS patients 168.6 cms C15O-179), PGL 164.3 cms (148-189), medical controls 168 cms (161-185) and casualty controls 167.7 cms C159-180). The mean ages and ranges in years <SFH); AIDS patients 33.3 (£4—56), medical controls 41.4 years C19—7O> and casualty controls 31..7 years (18—65). Mean weights and ranges in kilograms CSFH); AIDS patients 53.7 kg (45-66), medical controls 48.7 kg C4Q.3-66.5) and casualty controls 58.1 kg (44-74). Mean heights and ranges in centimetres (SFH); AIDS patients 166 cms C150-184)» medical controls 16O cms (15O-171) and casualty-controls 161.6 cms (151-177). Comparison between the UTH patients versus the UTH controls showed no statistical significant differences in the midarm circumference* triceps skinfold thickness, total serum protein and albumin levels. Comparisons were also made between the UTH patients and SFH patients and no significant findings were observed in the midarm circumference* triceps skinfold thickness, total serum protein arid albumin levels. Finally the comparison between HIV positivity between the UTH casualty controls versus SFH casualty controls showed no significant difference statistically (p = Q.O6). This study shows results similar to those obtained in previous studies among Zambians.