Factors associated with food insecurity among people living with HIV/AIDS

• Published in: Revista brasileira em promoção da saúde = Brazilian journal in health promotion 2018-01, Vol.31 (1)
• Main Authors: Lorena Nogueira Frota da Costa, Mayra Madeira Braga, da Rocha, Marlene, Mauricélia da Silveira Lima, Wilma Félix Campêlo, Cláudia Machado Coelho Souza de Vasconcelos
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Age; AIDS; Alcohol; Anthropometry; Demographics; Food; Food security; HIV; Housing conditions; Human immunodeficiency virus; Income; Infectious diseases; Patients; Product safety; Statistical tests
• ISSN: 1806-1222; 1806-1230
• DOI: 10.5020/18061230.2018.6884

Objective: To analyze factors associated with food insecurity in people living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 205 patients treated, from December 2016 to April 2017, at a referral hospital in infectious diseases in the state of Ceará. The study collected socioeconomic (income, occupation, housing conditions, schooling), demographic (sex, age, marital status), and anthropometric (weight and height) data, along with data on habits (use of alcohol, drugs and practice of physical activity) and food safety. Food insecurity was evaluated through the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, and its associations, with use of Pearson’s chi-square test and prevalence ratio. Results: Out of 205 patients, 68.3% (n=140) were men; 56.1% (n=115) were 39 to 58 years old; 61% (n=125) were single; 60% (n=124) were unemployed; 49.8% (n=102) had income lower than 1½ minimum wage; 38.5% (n=79) had studied only up to middle school; 47.3% (n=97) were overweight; 70.7% (n=145) lived with 4 or fewer people; 79.5% (n=163) did not use alcohol; 87.3% (n=179) did not use drugs, and 64.4% (n=132) did not practice any physical activity. Food insecurity was 47.3% (n=97). Of these, 10.7% (n=22) were at a serious level. Statistical associations were found between food insecurity and age group (p = 0.009), schooling (p = 0.013), number of people per household (p < 0.001), and monthly household income (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A high prevalence of food insecurity was observed in the sample, and it was associated with demographic (age) and socioeconomic characteristics (income, schooling and housing conditions).