Food Insecurity is Associated with Poor HIV Outcomes Among Women in the United States

Abstract

Women in the general population experience more food insecurity than men. Few studies have examined food insecurity’s impact on HIV treatment outcomes among women. We examined the association between food insecurity and HIV outcomes in a multi-site sample of HIV-infected women in the United States (n = 1154). Two-fifths (40%) of participants reported food insecurity. In an adjusted multivariable Tobit regression model, food insecurity was associated with 2.08 times higher viral load (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 4.15) and lower CD4+ counts (− 42.10, CI: − 81.16, − 3.03). Integration of food insecurity alleviation into HIV programs may improve HIV outcomes in women.