| Little is known about the nutrition knowledge and practices of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge of nutrition and immunity, the source of this knowledge, and the use of unproven acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) diet therapies in HIV seropositive individuals. Fifty-six HIV positive males were interviewed. Subjects completed a questionnaire which included demographics, questions about registered dietitian and physician supplied nutrition information, and nutrition and immunity knowledge questions. The subjects were questioned about the type and amount of any nutrition supplements taken and any special diets which they might be following. Weight and frame size were determined. No significant relationship was found between the use of unproven AIDS diet therapies and (1) the knowledge of nutrition and immunity, (2) registered dietitian (RD) consultation, and (3) physician supplied nutrition information. Most of the subjects (73.2%) had never consulted a dietitian, 52.7% had not discussed nutrition with their physician, and 60.6% said their physician had not discussed food safety with them. A significant (p =.018) positive relationship was found between the subjects knowledge of nutrition and immunity and RD consultation. More study is needed in this area to determine why HIV positive individuals use unproven AIDS diet therapies. |
