BASELINE Characterstics of HIV COHORT Receiving Rusf DURING TREATMENT with ART, JIMMA, Ethiopia

Background: A randomized nutritional supplementation trial among adult HIV patients, commencing antiretroviral treatment (ART) is in progress in Jimma, Ethiopia. The objective is to assess the effect of a whey-containing nutritional supplement to HIV infected patients commencing ART on general and HIV-specific treatment outcomes.

Methods: A total of 400 HIV-patients (>18 years) initiating ART are randomized to ready to use supplementary food (RUSF) with either whey or soya, during the first 3 months or identical intervention from 3 to 6 months. Complete blood cell count, CD4⁺ count, anthropometry and physical activity are measured at baseline. In addition, demographic, and clinical data are recorded through standardized questionnaires. The primary outcome is changes in lean body mass after three and six months, assessed using deuterium dilution.

Results: Of 213 participants enrolled at baseline 66.7 % were females, the mean age was 32.3 years+ 8.9, and BMI 19.4 ± 2.4 kg/m². The median (range) CD4 count was 182.5 (22-849) cells/microL. For 18 % of participants treatment was initiated with CD4⁺ count below 100 of which 60% were diagnosed for HIV in less than 6 months before the initiation of the treatment. Eighty one percent of participants are taking Tenofovir based ART regimen. At baseline, 41% were classified as WHO stage III and IV. Co-trimoxazole was taken by 98%, Isoniazid prophylaxis by 7.4% and anti-TB treatment by 7.4% of the participants. Anemia (hb<12 and 13 g/dl for women and men respectively) was indicated in 30% of the participants.

Conclusion: Significant proportion of patients initiated treatment at low CD4⁺ count and had anemia, which may both affect treatment outcome. Furthermore other baseline characteristics of this cohort will be presented.