FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBOPTIMAL INTAKE OF SOME IM- PORTANT NUTRIENTS AMONG HIV-POSITIVE PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS FROM TWO GHANAIAN DISTRICTS A. K. Laar I, W. K. Ampofo 2 , J. M. Tuakli l , C. Wonodi\ R. K. Asante l , and I. A. Quakyi 4 J Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon 2Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon 3 Bill & Melinda Gates Institute, Department of Population Family and Reproductive Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 4Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon ABSTRACT This study determined the daily intakes of some important nutrients and factors associated with the suboptimal intakes of these nutrients among young HIV-positive (HIV+) pregnant women from two Ghanaian districts. Eighty-jive of such women after informed consent were recruited from three hospitals and were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Dietary intake was quantified using the 24-hour recall technique. Total intake, calculated based on dietary recall, and adequacy of intake, calculated based on intake levels compared to the RDA, were assessed. Factors potentially associated with intake were tested using the Mann Whitney U test. The me- dian daily intakes of the nutrients of interest were asfollows: Protein (63.1 g), Vitamin C (106 mg), Zinc (11.7 mg), Iron (22.2 mg), and Selenium (1.4 JIg). The prevalence of inadequacy of these nutrients were: Vitamin C (35.3%), Protein (39.7%), Iron (72.9%), Selenium (97.6%), and Zinc (100%). HIV + women with nausea, vomiting, and oral lesions had significantly lower in- takes of Protein, Iron and Zinc (p < 0.05). Inadequacy of dietary intake is very prevalent among this group of pregnant women particularly among those with nausea, vomiting, and oral lesions. These conditions could be significant contributors to the burden of nutrient deficiencies among women infected with HIV in this setting. Since deficiencies of these nutrients during pregnancy could lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, emphasis on the dietary sources of these nutrients such as fish, peas, nuts, kontomire, whole grain cereals, seafood, onions, milk, garlic, alfalfa, mushrooms, and banana should be made during antenatal counseling. INTRODUCTION Pregnancy is a time of increased nutritional need. The need for both absolute calories and some specific nutrients are amplified during this period. SatisfYing these additional nutri- tional needs contributes to both fetal develop- ment and maternal stores for labor, delivery, and breastfeeding. However, when pregnancy is complicated by HIV infection, other addi- tional considerations may be necessary. HIV, like any other infection often results in reduced food intake and absorption of nutrients (Friis et aI., 2001). Additional characteristics of the in- fection such as fever, oral lesions, fatigue, and also medications used to treat these underlying conditions can further contribute to poor nutri- tion by inducing nausea, vomiting, and altera- tion of taste or smell.