Nutrition counseling in adults infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus : a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

[Background] HIV-infected individuals may be at nutritional risk at any point in the course of their illness. Nutrition counselling has been found to be an important intervention for maintaining and improving nutritional status in HIV infection. The evidence for the magnitude of benefit has not previously been systematically reviewed. [Objectives] To assess the effectiveness of nutritional counselling in improving dietary intake and nutritional status in HIV-infected adults. [Methods] Eligible studies were identified from comprehensive searches of electronic databases and conference proceedings for all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition counselling compared with either no nutrition counselling, oral supplements, or with nutrition counselling plus oral supplements. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of the studies and their methodological quality, and extracted data on participants, interventions and outcomes. A meta-analysis of data on nutritional status and dietary intake was performed. Results Three studies with a total of 238 participants were included in the review. All three studies compared nutrition counselling with nutrition counselling plus oral supplements. Data were available from all three studies for changes from baseline in weight, lean body mass and body fat. ln one study the changes in both groups were significant, but the differences between groups did not reach statistical significance. Energy intake data were available from 2 studies, and both showed a significant increase from baseline in both groups.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Koech, Joyce

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Irlam, James

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9334

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9334