National Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Guidelines for Service Providers of ...

declining though still high, from 47 % in 1993/1994 to 30. 3 % in 2002/2003 (2002/03 HIES, CSO). In
Botswana 23.4 % of the population live on less than one dollar a day, leaving them very vulnerable to
malnutrition. Government has put in place measures to address some of these factors. These measures
include food baskets/ supplementary feeding for the vulnerable groups such as the destitute persons,
the orphans and vulnerable children, home based care patients, children under five years and
medically selected pregnant and lactating women.
1.4 The Link between HIV/AIDS and Nutrition
The relationship between malnutrition and HIV/AIDS can create a vicious cycle in which malnutrition
weakens the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections on one hand while on the other
hand frequent infections and illnesses may impair food intake and nutrient absorption and eventually
lead to the depletion of nutrient stores in the body. Together HIV/AIDS and malnutrition may put PLWHA
at greater risk of morbidity and mortality than their individual effects. The link between HIV/AIDS and
nutrition is developed further in chapter 3.
1.5 Rationale for the Guidelines
These guidelines are designed to equip service providers with necessary nutrition information to
enhance the quality of care and support for PLWHA. They should be viewed in line with Goals number 2
and 4 in the Botswana National Strategic Framework (NSF) for HIV/AIDS. Although the NSF does not
specifically articulate nutrition objectives, outcomes and impact indicators of nutrition care and
support are inseparable from the provision of treatment, care and support (Goal 2) and Psycho social
and economic impact mitigation (Goal number 4). As reflected in the respective impact indicators of
these NSF goals below, nutrition is fundamental to our achievement of the goals.
Goal 2: Provision of Treatment, care and support
Impact indicators:
2.1 Percent of PLWHA on HAART returning to productive life
2.2 Percent reduction in HIV beds occupancy rates
Goal 4: Psychosocial and economic Impact Mitigation
Impact indicators:
4.1 Percent households with orphans receiving care and support
4.2 Percent absenteeism and sickness in government ministries, parastatals, and private sector
NACA, 2003 NSF.
The guidelines are also in line with the national HIV/AIDS policy which recommends provision of
adequate nutrition information as encapsulated in the following quote;
6.3.6 “Access to information regarding nutrition and nutritional values of foods, particularly locally
available foods, will be provided to all residents of Botswana, especially through support networks
of PLWHA.”
Thus, the national nutrition guidelines are aimed at enabling programmers and service providers to
provide consistent and sound recommendations on the nutritional care and support for the people
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