Background

Nutrition has now been recognized as a key component in the treatment and care for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Hence there is need to integrate it into the entire programmes at NASCOP. Effective use of viral drugs prolongs life and improves quality of life. Nutrition as an essential complementary intervention to antiretroviral treatment (ART) will enhance rehabilitation, immunity, and adherence to ART. Malnutrition among PLWHA manifests itself most commonly as weight loss, wasting in adults and children, and faltered linear growth (stunting) in children. It is a result of deficiency in specific macro or micronutrients. Weight loss among PLWHA occurs due to reduced intake (starvation), mal-absorption, and sudden increase in energy expenditure, problems with energy utilization, or a combination of both.

It is hoped that the activities outlined here in the work plan will be fully funded and implemented to support the key objective for improving the nutritional status of PLWHA and hence delay the progression of their status into full blown AIDS.

Objectives:

1. To prevent weight loss and to maintain normal nutritional status
2. To restore the nutritional status for severely malnourished PLWHA
3. To optimize their health
4. To reduce stigma against them
5. Reduce the weight of those who are overweight and its associated health risks