[pronut-hiv] Hunger and HIV

["George M. Carter" <fiar@verizon.net>]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/216611/115582058953.htm

International Aids Conference - The scientific and humanitarian community 
recognises the relationship between hunger and HIV/AIDS
17 Aug 2006 11:40:00 GMT
Source: Action Against Hunger - UK (ACF-UK)

Background

AIDS in Africa
Action Against Hunger is involved in a concerted effort to address the 
links between malnutrition and HIV/AIDS through clinical research and 
reviewing Action Against Hunger's approach in countries affected by the HIV 
pandemic. From its current field activities, Action Against Hunger had the 
honour to present three posters and one oral presentation at the 16th 
International AIDS Conference in Toronto. The presentations look at 
findings from the organisation's Malawi research concerning acceptability 
of HIV testing, impact of HIV on mortality, the relevance of using CD4 
levels as criteria to start Anti-retroviral therapy in severely 
malnourished children as well as qualitative research looking at family 
perceptions of quality of care and HIV stigma of the severely malnourished 
child. Malawi is the epicentre of the pandemic, with a HIV index of 14% 
among the population; 17% of malnourished children are zero-positive.

The oral presentation research findings was well received an appreciated 
for the scientific quality and perspectives for improving treatment of 
severely malnourished, HIV infected children. Action Against Hunger 
continues its research in Malawi in collaboration with the Centre for 
International Child Health in London. In Angola, research is being carried 
out concerning community-based programmes to prevent the spread of the 
pandemic and its economic impact on families affected by or infected with 
HIV/AIDS.

Presentations at the conference also highlighted the relationship between 
poverty and HIV/AIDS as well as the role of women, who are the main victims of the illness and often lack resources. In Africa, 75% of newly infected people are women. Development of legal frameworks, development and training, and hope arising from new microbicide treatment are assisting empowerment and reduction of vulnerability in women.

For more information, please contact Christine Kahmann on 0207 394 6300 or 
c.kahmann@aahuk.org.

-ENDS-

Note to Editors: Action Against Hunger is an international, 
non-governmental, non-religious, non-profit making organisation with 
programmes in 43 countries, specialising in emergency situations of war, 
conflict and natural disasters as well as longer term assistance to people 
in distress - especially women and children.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of 
Reuters. ]