Nutrition Counselling Practices and Adherence Outcomes Among HIV-Positive Patients on ART in Benue State

Nutrition counselling is an essential pillar of comprehensive HIV care that supports antiretroviral therapy adherence, immune restoration, and quality of life for people living with HIV. This study evaluates nutrition counselling practices and their association with antiretroviral therapy adherence and nutritional outcomes among HIV-positive adults attending the antiretroviral therapy clinic at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. High rates of food insecurity and inadequate dietary diversity in Benue State create nutritional vulnerabilities that may compromise treatment efficacy. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 adult patients on antiretroviral therapy for at least six months. Exposure to and content of nutrition counselling received at the facility were assessed through structured interviews using a nutrition counselling exposure checklist. Antiretroviral therapy adherence was assessed using the visual analogue scale, and dietary intake was evaluated with a 24-hour recall. Nutritional status was assessed through body mass index, haemoglobin, and CD4 count obtained from medical records. Patients were categorised by counselling intensity to enable comparison of outcomes. Findings are expected to show that patients receiving regular structured nutrition counselling demonstrate better antiretroviral therapy adherence, higher CD4 counts, and improved dietary diversity. Barriers including staff shortages and food insecurity are examined. The study recommends strengthening nutrition counselling capacity within HIV care programmes in Benue State. Keywords: nutrition counselling, HIV, antiretroviral therapy adherence, Benue State, dietary outcomes.