Integration of HIV/AIDS activities with food and nutrition support in ...

pants. SFP staff should be trained on AIDS-related issues so that they are able to engage effectively
in these activities.
Emphasis on participatory and community-led approaches. SFP staff should work closely
with community members – particularly groups targeted by the SFP, such as pregnant and
lactating women or mothers of preschool children – to decide how AIDS-related activities will
be incorporated into the SFP. Because participants may stay in an SFP for weeks or months,
their beliefs, practices and needs can be discussed on an ongoing basis. The importance of
confidentiality should be emphasized with participants. Mothers in the community who show
particular skills in preparing rations and feeding children can be involved, by showing locally
appropriate successful strategies for feeding children, including those who are ill. Women living
openly with HIV/AIDS may also attend to discuss their experiences of caring for themselves
and their children.
Logistics of implementation. Blanket SFPs target all members of at-risk groups, such as pregnant
and lactating women and preschool children. Targeted SFPs focus on individuals suffering
from moderate acute malnutrition. Blanket SFPs for pregnant and lactating women should
include pregnant women by the third trimester, and continue for 3–6 months after delivery,
to support breastfeeding and the mother’s recovery. Since SFPs are generally on a smaller scale
than GFDs, they may present more opportunities for interactive activities. For example, young
people or traditional birth attendants (TBAs) can visit the SFP to perform music, dance and
drama related to safe delivery and infant feeding practices. Including eligible members of the
host community should be considered.
While on-site feeding programmes (“wet feeding”) involve more active contact and time spent
with participants than take-home feeding programmes (“dry feeding”), the challenge of maintaining
an environment conducive to learning and active engagement is considerable. The establishment
of small, decentralized community-managed SFPs may increase access by PLWHA
to the programme, as well as promoting interactive dialogue. As with the GFD programme,
activities should be tailored to the setting, using participatory techniques of community engagement
wherever possible. The HIV-related activities should not interfere with the function of the
feeding programme. Food aid commodities may be used as incentives to support individuals
conducting participatory activities.
How would this integrated programme strategy be monitored?
The indicators below pertain to monitoring the education and prevention component. Readers
should consult integrated programme strategy 6 for guidance on monitoring SFPs designed to
protect the health status of PLWHA.
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