NUTRITION CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS(PLWHA) THROUGH SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS.

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1 NUTRITION CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS(PLWHA) THROUGH SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS. Developed and presented by BIRUNGI SHIBA NUTRITION SPECIALIST AIDS INFORMATION CENTRE Mobile

2 To live a healthier life and be well nourished, a PLWHA must take special care of their nutritional needs.this presentation is majorly useful to counselors and health workers to help/guide them in nutritional counseling to PLWHA or their primary caregivers. They basically teach how to; Make informed choices for improving client nutrition Identify and use locally available foods to meet their nutritional needs Understand and adopt practices that promote a healthier nutritional status Understand how to use diet to manage common HIV/AIDS related conditions

3 WHY GOOD NUTRITION IS NEEDED. 1. Eating well by a PLWHA helps the body in absorption of required foods because HIV increases the body's extra needs for food 2. After the body has met its extra nutritional needs from the good food, the PLWHA will not lose weight because he/ she is well nourished and strong which strengthens the body's ability to replace and build strength lost during fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases. 3. When the body's defense system is strengthened against disease and infection and can store enough nutrients. It can also respond to infection which delays progression of HIV to AIDS. 4. With a strong body, the PLWHA is less dependant on others and also has a good appetite.

4 Constraints to eating well and workable solutions 1 Lack of time to prepare mix foods (katogo,mugoyo) 2 Lack of money to buy the food/different types/groups of food steam/soak dry legumes overnight buy already cooked food backyard farming linkages to community support groups for saving, and benefit from money allocation for nutritional benefits 3 traditional food taboos Change of attitude attend sensitization meetings to better knowledge

5 Constraints to eating well and workable solutions Continued 4 Seasonal variation in availability of food Create food security groups 5 No one to prepare the meals and Loneliness during meals Store food during bumper harvest Have a relative or friend around especially during meal times 6 HIV related physical symptoms like anorexia, oral thrush,rashes,wasting among others Front these persons for psycho-social counseling Manage your diet, simple home medical management Seek medical care if serious

6 MANAGING DIET RELATED HIV/AIDS SYMPTOMS Loss of appetite is the most common symptom in PLWHA how does a PLWHA maintain/not loose appetite? Carry out physical exercises that are possible, given current physical ability. Take a warm drink soon after waking up and shortly before going to bed. Eat small amounts of food but frequently 5-6times a day. Maximize use /intake of favorite foods and spices to boost appetite. Seeking medical advice lest the loss of appetite was a reaction to some of the drugs. Abundant intake of fruits rich in vit c to maintain a good nutritional status. Intake of adequate energy dense foods like porridge with different flavors like soya

7 HOW IS AIC HELPING? -Nutritional assessment and screening - Building capacity of counselors on how to offer nutritional counseling alongside HCT. -Backyard gardening as a practicum approach offered to PHAs -

8 Despite developments in medical treatment in HIV/AIDS treatment, good nutrition remains a key component in managing this condition. The challenges that those living with HIV/AIDS face can be the result of the viral infection itself or from the effects of medication. Preconditions for ART are that some ARVs should be taken with food, others should not and others have specific food restrictions. Good nutrition is essential for: Growth, development, replacement and repair of cells and tissues. Production of energy, warmth, movement and work Carrying out chemical processes such as digestion, metabolism and maintenance. Protection against disease and recovery from disease. Therefore integrating nutrition, care and support with HIV helps the targeted people fight and resist infections and as such delay the progression from HIV to AIDS while providing clients with a greater chance of surviving longer with HIV and AIDS.

9 Nonetheless, there has been adoption of alternative means to sustainable livelihoods for PLWHA using inter- sectorial integration of departments like health, agriculture, water and sanitation among others to create hands-on(diy) activities at grass root/community level by the community. AIC has embarked on two programs in pursuit of this great achievement. These programs are; 1. Backyard gardening as a method used to arrive at intake of a balanced diet at household/community level. We are setting up model gardens at all our regional branches were we practically orient our clients on how to plan, plant and nurture their gardens. 2. Operation first seed where we teach the community how to catch fish not giving them the fish to eat. We provide the first seeds for them to cultivate, harvest, eat and preserve seeds for the next season for continuous production hence sustainable livelihood and longevity

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14 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. KNOW YOUR STATUS, TAKE AN HIV TEST AT AIC TODAY