'Let Food Be Your Medicine': A Model For Hiv Nutrition Services

Introduction: The positive impact of optimal nutrition on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outcomes is well established however there are few examples of HIV being used as a complimentary treatment in outpatient care. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an HIV nutrition project in educating healthcare providers, stimulating the development of provincial nutrition services and building nutritional capacity of people living with HIV (PLHIV).Material and methods: Healthcare providers (HCP) attending a nutrition study trip and demonstration camp were evaluated for their satisfaction and knowledge of HIV nutrition. These interventions were then replicated on a provincial level with the development of hospital nutrition services and camps that in turn were evaluated for attendance, satisfaction and attendee HIV nutrition knowledge.Results: Training of 13 HCP resulted in the instigation of six provincial nutrition camps, one HCP conference, and the establishment of nutrition services and classes attended by over 3111 PLHIV and family members. Satisfaction scores reported by participants in the camps varied from 89% to 98% with HIV nutrition knowledge improving in all instances.Conclusions: This project study demonstrates that HCP and PLHIV are very receptive to the inclusion of nutrition education as part of outpatient HIV care, and that educational interventions can effectively snowball to reach a large number of PLHIV and their families, and improve HIV nutrition knowledge.