Stunting and its associated factors among children living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Growth failure is a common feature of children living with HIV/AIDS. This study was intended to assess the level of stunting and its associated factors among children living with HIV/AIDS.

METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 218 children living with HIV/AIDS. An interviewer-administered data collection tools and anthropometric measurements were used to collect data. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent variables. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% CI at a P value of 0.05, which was considered to declare statistical significance.

RESULT: The level of stunting among children infected with HIV/AIDS in selected northwest comprehensive specialized hospitals in western Amhara was 56.9%. Poor anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=6.15, 95% CI, (3.88-9.69)], lack of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis [AOR=2.0, 95% CI, (1.88-2.98)], opportunistic infection [AOR=4.66, 95% CI, (3.24-6.11), and feeding twice [AOR=3.88, 95% CI, (1.94-5.14)] and feeding three times [AOR=1.52, 95% CI, (1.23-3.89)] were significantly associated with stunting.

CONCLUSION: Stunting among HIV/AIDS-infected children was very high. Poor ART adherence, lack of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis, opportunistic infection, and low feeding frequency were significantly associated to stunting among HIV/AIDS-infected children. Strategies need to be devised to address factors amenable to modification to improve the growth of children living with HIV/AIDS.