Dietary Patterns, Nutrient Intake, and Sociodemographic Characteristics in HIV-Infected Tanzanian Pregnant Women

Abstract

Routinely collected dietary intakes were available for 925 HIV-infected pregnant women participating in a longitudinal clinical trial of vitamin supplementation in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Information on sociodemographic and economic characteristics was recorded. Dietary macronutrient intakes were computed and analyzed using the Tanzania Food Composition Tables. Women's age, parity, education level, and economic independence were positively related to diet intake. Women younger than 25 years were at highest risk of inadequate food and nutrient intake. By World Health Organization recommendations, almost two-thirds of the participants were energy deficient, and nearly half were protein deficient.