Nutrition Counselling, Care and Support for HIV-infected Women

This 30-page report offers information on the relationship between nutrition and HIV and AIDS, as well as on the role of nutrition in HIV transmission, disease progression, morbidity, and disease management. This publication makes detailed recommendations on nutrition counselling, care and support for HIV-infected women. Topics covered include: nutrition assessment, nutrition counselling and support, use of micronutrient supplements, management of wasting, and nutritional considerations for persons on antiretroviral treatment (ART).

The report highlights the following general principles:

1. Nutrition advice, counselling, care and support for HIV-infected women are especially important because of the dual burdens of HIV and reproduction (pregnancy and breastfeeding) on nutritional vulnerability;
2. All antenatal and postnatal women can benefit from nutrition advice, counselling, care, and support aimed at preventing malnutrition during pregnancy and improving reproductive health and child health outcomes;
3. The focus of nutrition, advice, counselling, care and support varies with the health status of the client; and,
4. Women receiving ART and treatment for opportunistic infections should be given advice and counselling on related nutritional issues.

According to this publication, women living in resource-limited settings are at increased risk of poor nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. HIV-infected women may be at even greater risk because of the effects of HIV on dietary intake, the absorption and use of nutrients and related metabolic processes. Further, "they may be socially and psychologically vulnerable as a result of living with HIV."