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

HANDOUT 6.1 Health Sector and Maternal Actions to ImproveMaternal Nutrition in AfricaThis handout can supplement the Nutrition Job Aid for antenatal care in regions withhigh HIV prevalence to improve nutrition for the HIV-infected mother.Outcomes Essential Health Sector Actions Maternal actions1. Adequate foodintake duringpregnancy andlactation2. Adequatemicronutrientintake duringpregnancy andlactation• Encourage increased foodintake during pregnancy andlactation• Monitor weight gain inpregnancy• Counsel on reduced energyexpenditure• Counsel on dietdiversification• Prescribe and makeaccessible iron and folicacid supplements• Eat at least one extra serving of staplefood per day during pregnancy and theequivalent of an extra meal per dayduring lactation• Gain at least 1kg per month in thesecond and third trimesters ofpregnancy• Rest more during pregnancy andlactation• Increase daily consumption of fruitsand vegetables, animal products, andfortified foods, especially duringpregnancy and lactation• Consume daily supplements (iron/folicacid – 60 mg iron + 400 mg folic acidormultiple vitamin/mineralsupplements) during pregnancy and thefirst 3 months post-partum• Assess and treat severeanemia in women• Distribute vitamin A to postpartumwomen• IF anemic, consume a daily dose of 120mg iron + at least 400 mg folic acid for3 months• Consume a high dose (200,000 IU) ofvitamin A immediately after delivery orwithin the first 8 weeks after deliveryif breastfeeding and within 6 weeksafter delivery if not breastfeeding157