TY  - BOOK
AU  - 
AU  - 
AU  - 
TI  - Evaluating The Impact of Food Support (Rice and Beans) On Treatment Retention, Viral Load Suppression, And Immunological Outcomes Among People Living with HIV in Mwanza City
PY  - 2024///.
CY  - Mwanza, Tanzania |
PB  - Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS-Bugando] |
KW  -  
N2  - 
Abstract:

Background: Food insecurity poses a significant challenge for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Tanzania, potentially hindering their ability to consistently adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and achieve viral load suppression.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of food support (rice and beans) on treatment retention, viral load suppression, and immunological outcomes among PLWHIV in Mwanza City, northwest Tanzania.

Methods: A retrospective cohort design was employed, medical records from Care and Treatment Clinics (CTCs) in Mwanza. Stratified sampling ensured representation from facilities with and without the Untold Foundation food support program, which provided rice and beans. Participants diagnosed with HIV and initiated on ART between January 2022 and December 2022 were recruited. Data collection included demographics, clinic visits, ART details, viral load results, and food support status. Statistical tests (Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, or t-tests) were conducted using SPSS 25 to assess associations between food support and outcomes of retention in care, ART adherence, and viral load suppression. A 95% confidence level was maintained, with p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The study enrolled 200 people living with HIV, including 60 males and 140 females aged 18 to 45. At enrollment, viral load suppression almost similar between the Untold Foundation Program (40.0%) compared to standard care (37.0%, p = 0.861). This difference emerged at 6 months (55.0% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.001) and 12 months (72.0% vs. 56.0%, p = 0.018). By 18 and 24 months, suppression rates were similar between groups (p = 0.762 and p = 0.322, respectively). CD4 count improvements were also notable. At 6 months, a higher percentage of participants in the Untold Foundation Program achieved CD4 counts ≥500 cells/mm³ (46.0%) compared to standard care (33.0%, p = 0.038). This trend continued at 12 months (68.0% vs. 47.0%, p = 0.010), 18 months (59.0% vs. 46.0%, p = 0.044), and 24 months (17.0% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.000). Retention rates were identical at 6 and 12 months (100% in each group). At 18 months, 95 (95.0%) participants in the Untold Foundation Program remained in care compared to 93 (91.0%) in standard care (p = 0.152). By 24 months, 92 (97.9%) in the program and 90 (94.6%) in standard care remained in care, with equal numbers lost to follow-up (1 participant each; p = 0.398).

Conclusion and Recommendations: The Untold Foundation’s food support program, provided for 12 months, initially enhanced viral load suppression, ART adherence, and CD4 counts. Although these benefits diminished after the support ended, the program’s impact was significant during the support period. It is recommended to integrate food support programs into long-term HIV care strategies to sustain improvements in clinical outcomes. Future research should explore the benefits of extended food support and other supplemental interventions to enhance the effectiveness of HIV treatment and retention in care.

Keywords: Food security, HIV/AIDS, ART adherence, retention in care, viral load suppression, Tanzania

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