Research Article

Lipodystrophy among HIV-Infected Patients Attending Care and Treatment Clinics in Dar es Salaam

Table 5

Changes in body parts and perceptions about current body image among HIV infected patients in Dar es Salaam.

Change and perceptionExtent of perceived change
NoneVery littleAverageVery much

Increased body parts
 Neck and chin88 (93.6) 2 (2.1) 4 (4.3) 0 (0.0)
 Back of shoulders83 (89.2) 2 (2.2) 8 (8.6) 0 (0.0)
 Breast and/or chest71 (76.3) 7 (7.5)14 (15.1) 1 (1.1)
 Abdomen66 (69.5) 7 (7.4)21 (22.1) 1 (1.1)
 Waist78 (85.7) 2 (2.2)10 (11.0) 1 (1.1)
Decreased body parts
 Face53 (57.0) 9 (9.7)25 (26.9) 6 (6.5)
 Upper limbs49 (53.8)15 (16.5)19 (20.9) 8 (8.8)
 Lower limbs49 (53.3)18 (19.6)17 (18.5) 8 (8.7)
 Buttocks54 (57.4) 9 (9.6)24 (25.5) 7 (7.4)
Perception about body image
 Angry about own body60 (63.8)12 (12.8)18 (19.1) 4 (4.3)
 Avoiding some clothing50 (53.2)14 (14.9)23 (24.5) 7 (7.4)
 Ashamed of own body63 (66.3) 9 (9.5)19 (20.0) 4 (4.2)
 Unhappy about mirror image49 (51.6)16 (16.8)20 (21.1)10 (10.5)
 Conscious of other people69 (75.8)16 (17.6) 5 (5.5) 1 (1.1)
 Bad body shape than before50 (52.6)10 (10.5)20 (21.1)15 (15.8)
 Afraid to mix with other people76 (80.0)11 (11.6) 8 (8.4) 0 (0.0)
Perceptions related to social life
 Avoiding outdoor activities67 (71.3)10 (10.6)15 (16.0) 2 (2.1)
 Avoiding social events with many people76 (78.4) 7 (7.2)12 (12.4) 2 (2.1)
 Lack of desire for sexual intercourse73 (78.5) 8 (8.6) 9 (9.7) 3 (3.2)
 Afraid to be introduced to new people73 (76.8) 9 (9.5)13 (13.7) 0 (0.0)
 Afraid to enter a room with new people79 (83.2) 7 (7.4) 9 (9.5) 0 (0.0)
 Habit to exclude himself from other people82 (88.2) 6 (6.5) 4 (4.3) 1 (1.1)
 Avoid going into social gatherings/parties61 (64.2)7 (7.4)16 (16.8)11 (11.6)