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

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In our setting, Gelukspan district hospital situated in the North West province of South Africa, itis not routine that patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy are referred to a dietician for a dietprescription and nutrition advice. There are no protocols that exist for referral of patientsinitiated on antiretroviral therapy to a dietician. In the study medical records of 194 patientsinitiated on antiretroviral therapy were randomly selected. Half of them were referred to thedietician and they were matched with the other half that was not referred. The body massindexes of both groups were calculated at the beginning of the study period and at the end andthen the difference determined. It was noted that the body mass index difference for those thatwere referred to the dietician was significantly greater than those that were not referred. Thismeans that it is important to refer patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy to a dietician inorder to improve their nutrition status and recovery of their health.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University