Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

• Makes recommendations for nutritional care and support of HIV-infectedpregnant or lactating women and adolescents• Lists factors to consider when planning nutritional care and support for HIVinfectedpregnant or lactating adolescents• Explains the challenges HIV-infected pregnant and lactating women face thatincrease their risk for malnutritionWhy focus on women, nutrition, and HIV? (slides 4, 5, 6, 7)HIV is said to have the face of a woman. The vulnerability of women and girls to HIVis increased by biological, economical, social, and cultural factors. In addition, insome countries the legal and political status of women makes them more vulnerableto HIV/AIDS. HIV spreads rapidly, particularly among young women. According toWHO/UNAIDS figures, 12-13 African women are infected for every 10 African men(UNAIDS 2001). Over 50 percent of adults (15-49 years of age) living with HIV/AIDS insub-Saharan Africa are women (figure 1). These women are in their most productiveand reproductive years.Figure 1 Estimated number of men and women 15-49 years of age living withHIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, end of 2001 (slide 8)3000000025000000Adults200000001500000010000000WomenMen50000000Source: UNAIDS 2002126