Prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with undernutrition among HIV-positive women of reproductive age in Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda

Despite the distribution of food rations, the existence of feeding programs, and the provision of free medical care, malnutrition and morbidity continue to pose a threat to women and children, who are the most nutritionally susceptible groups, especially during emergencies. When people consume less energy and nutrients than they require to maintain their health, it is called undernutrition. Undernutrition is still a major public health issue in many low- and middle-income countries, including Rwanda, despite significant advancements. Women and children are the most nutritionally susceptible groups, especially during emergencies. In Ethiopia, 38% of children are stunted, and 27% of nursing mothers are underweight or malnourished. However, during emergencies, such as war, the problem of undernutrition gets worse. Therefore, this study sought to determine the prevalence and the sociodemographic factors associated with undernutrition in HIV-infected women of reproductive age in Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda.

This was a cross-sectional study of 170 women selected by a simple random sampling technique using Yemane’s formula. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit data. Undernutrition, the main study outcome, was assessed using BMI and MUAC. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 25 and presented as charts and tables. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Most women fell in the age bracket of 40–49 years, most were Christians, and the majority were married, according to our study. In addition, a 25% prevalence of undernutrition, 74.7% of no thinness and 3.5% of severe thinness was revealed. Most women were unemployed and stayed in a household of less than 5 persons. Majority of the women earned below the poverty income line, and most utilized several loan shark schemes. Further analysis stated that only women with non-formal and primary levels of education were 3 times more at odds to be undernourished (p < 0.001, aOR: 3.06, CI: 1.32–7.10).

Out of the sampled women, 25% were undernourished, and 3.5% had severe thinness. The sociodemographic predictor of undernutrition among HIV-infected women of reproductive age at the refugee camp was non-formal and primary levels of education. Therefore, the authors recommend that public-private partnerships introduce a basic schooling system at the camp that promotes health education, promotion and skills.