Abstract

K. B. Mustapha*, T. S. Ehianeta, R. A. Kirim, F. T. Osungwu and D. K. Oladepo

This study was set to establish the relationship between highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and body mass index (BMI) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the neighbouring states within Nigeria- a representative data for sub-Sahara Africa. The study made use of 3 groupings: 44 healthy individuals, 79 HAART-treated HIV (human immuno deficiency syndrome) infected individuals and 21 non-HAART treated HIV-infected individuals from a pool of 402 subjects and age, weight and height were documented and statistically analyzed (Graph Pad, Prism 3). The result showed that significant weight loss was typified by low BMI values ( HAART treated PLWHA > healthy subjects. It was found that weight loss and consequently low BMI is not gender-dependent in HAART and non-HAART subjects.