HIV/AIDS-associated beliefs and practices relating to diet and work in southeastern Uganda

J Health Popul Nutr. 2010 Feb;28(1):76-85. doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v28i1.4526.

Abstract

To explore beliefs relating to diet, work, and HIV/AIDS among the Busoga of rural southeastern Uganda, a cross-sectional survey of 322 adults was conducted in 2007 in Mayuge district, Uganda. Of these adults, 56 were HIV-infected, 120 had a family member with HIV/AIDS, and 146 were in households without HIV-infected members. More than 74.2% of the adults knew someone with HIV/AIDS, and more than 90% correctly identified transmission modes and prevention methods of HIV. In total, 93.2% believed that a person with HIV should work fewer hours to conserve energy but all the three participant groups reported the same working hours. Also, 91.6% believed that a person with HIV infection should eat special nutritious foods, and the participants with HIV infection reported eating more fruits (p=0.020) and vegetables (p=0.012) than other participants. The participants expressed a consistent set of health beliefs about practices relating to HIV/AIDS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culture*
  • Diet / methods
  • Diet / psychology*
  • Diet / statistics & numerical data
  • Employment / methods
  • Employment / psychology*
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • HIV Infections
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Uganda
  • Vegetables
  • Workload / psychology*
  • Workload / statistics & numerical data