Miatta Stevens

Research Article summary

This article covers the nutritional status of young children in sub-Saharan Africa
in AIDS-affected and non AIDS-affected household in Uganda. I chose to write a
summary on this article because it points out some important indicators that may
influence the health status of children in Uganda.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Once the virus is in the human body, it
multiplies and acts by weakening the immune system. The immune system
produces special cells called antibodies to stave off microorganisms that might
infect the body. With a weakened immune system, however, the body is highly
susceptible to infections and is less able to fight off disease.
When the immune system becomes seriously compromised, the illness progresses
to AIDS. AIDS, therefore, is defined by the degree of deterioration of the immune
system, which in turn is defined by the extent of opportunistic infections that take
advantage of the weakened immune system. Nearly all Africans who have HIV
eventually die from AIDS-related illnesses, most within 10 years of infection
(Population Reference Bureau).
The study was conducted to assess and make comparison between the
nutritional status of children between 12 and 72 months of age living in 105 AIDS-
affected environments and children of the same age living in 100 AIDS free
household. They also compared the duration and the number of times children less
than 5 years of age has been sick for in an AIDS-affected compared to a non-AIDS
affected households. The authors predicated the health of children would decline
due to their parents being chronically ill with AIDS, which can impact their ability to
effectively take care of their children. They and also have limited access to resources
that provide basic needs such as food and health care.
The study was carried out over a short period of time. With the use of survey
questionnaire and anthropometric measures, which involves measurement of the
body size, structure and composition, both used in the collection data. To test the
hypothesis, the authors included 12-72 month old children, along with their
caregivers living in homes where at least parent was affected with clinical AIDS. The
control for the experiment is made up of children who lived with their primary
caregivers not affected with AIDS.
The results did not support the hypothesis that children living with AIDS -
affected parents had a higher case of malnutrition, compared to children living in an
AIDS free environment because there was no significant difference in the figures
from the data acquired in the experiment. This suggests that more variables should
be tested; such as the type of food consumed at home and also whether malnutrition
was a factor in the lives of the children before their caregivers were diagnosed.







Work Cited
Bridge, A. , Kipp, W. , Jahangri .G, Konde-Lule .J, & Laing. L. (2006) Nutritional
status of young children in AIDS affected household and controls in Uganda.
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 74(5), pages 926-
931.
Population and Reference Bureau.
http://www.prb.org/Articles/2002/BackgroundtotheHIVAIDSEpidemicinSu
bSaharanAfrica.aspx, cited on 07/10/14.