Cross-sectional survey uncovers factors impacting malnutrition in adolescents on antiretroviral therapy, highlighting mental health and dietary issues.
Key Points
Nutritional assessments showed 24.2% of adolescents on antiretroviral therapy classified as thin, indicating widespread malnutrition issues.
Key determinants of malnutrition include male gender, food insecurity, and chronic infections like tuberculosis.
384 adolescents living with HIV were surveyed across ten Ethiopian hospitals, utilizing structured questionnaires and clinical assessments.
Findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted nutrition and mental health interventions for adolescents on antiretroviral therapy.