*Corresponding author email: pierretulanefp@gmail.com Symbiosis Group Symbiosis www.symbiosisonline.org www.symbiosisonlinepublishing.com Food insecurity and undernutrition in treated HIV patients a (post-) conflict setting: A cross sectional study from Goma, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Pierre Zalagile Akilimali 1 *, Patou Masika Musumari 2 , Espérance Kashala-Abotnes 3 , Pierrot LundimuTugirimana 4 , Paulin Beya Mutombo 1 , Frederick J Veldman 6 , Patrick Kalambayi Kayembe 6 , Thorkild Tylleskar 3 , Mapatano Mala Ali 1 1 University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition Democratic Republic of Congo 2 Kyoto University School of Public Health, Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology, Kyoto, Japan 3 University of Bergen, Department of Global Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, Norway 4 Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo 5 University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Democratic Republic of Congo 6 KwaZulu-Natal University, Dietetic and Human Nutrition, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Journal of Nutritional Health & Food Science Open Access Research Article Abstract Objective: To assess the prevalence of food insecurity and its impact on nutritional status among HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy in a conflict and post conflict setting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: This Goma multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out from February 1 st to March 3 rd , 2016. Subjects: Data on nutritional status among 583 HIV-infected patients on ART were measured using Body Mass Index as a proxy. Food insecurity was the primary independent variable and was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. The prevalence of under nutrition and food insecurity was also estimated. A logistic regression model was used to identify the relationship between under nutrition and food insecurity, adjusted for other covariates. Results: The prevalence of food insecurity in the study group was 91.3% (95% CI: 89.0 – 93.6%). The prevalence of undernutrition was 24.1% (95% CI: 20.6-27.6%).Nineteen percent of respondents were non- adherent (95% CI: 15.9% - 22.3%). Only two percent have received a nutritional support during the previous month. Being household food insecure (AOR = 4.47, 95% CI: 1.35 – 14.78) and living in a household with low socio-economic status (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.10 - 3.69) were significantly associated with under nutrition. Conclusion: This study measured a high prevalence of food insecurity in Goma. The study highlight the negative impact of food insecurity on undernutrition and how the situation is exacerbated by the presence of HIV.Further studies are suggested to assess nutritional status with a high validity (sensitivity & specificity) way in HIV-infected patient on ART in this setting. Keywords: Armed conflict; Food insecurity; Undernutrition; Non-adherence; Antiretroviral Received: May 18, 2016; Accepted: June 16, 2016; Published: June 27, 2016 *Corresponding author: Pierre Zalagile Akilimali, University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition Democratic Republic of Congo, Tel: +243-815-800-288; E-mail: pierretulanefp@gmail.com remains unacceptably high. A major contributing factor is that over 800 million people remain chronically undernourished globally, and the HIV epidemic largely overlaps with populations already experiencing low diet quality and quantity. Malnutrition, and more specific under nutrition, is generally associated with increased mortality among HIV infected individuals initiating Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) [1, 2]. Background The triple burden of food insecurity, undernutrition, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), significantly adds to morbidity and mortality, in particular in the context of armedconflicts. Despite significant advances in care for those with the HIV and increased funding for treatment, morbidity and mortality due to HIV in developing countries