In addition to mother to child transmission

In addition to mother to child transmission, food insufficiency is associated with increased HIV risk-taking behavior and sex exchange. A recent study of food security and HIV risk behaviors interviewed 2,051 adults in Botswana and Swaziland. The individuals were asked information about their food intake over the previous 12 months. Condom use, sex exchange, and other HIV risk-taking behaviors were examined. For women, sex exchange was defined as exchanging sex for food, money or other resources; for men, sex exchange was defined by paying for or providing resources for sex. HIV risk behaviors included inconsistent condom use, intergenerational sex and lack of control over sexual relationships. Of all study participants, 32% of women and 22% of men experienced food insufficiency in the previous 12 months. This study sends a clear message that without adequate food, individuals may surrender long-term health and safety to survive in the present.³¹

A program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) demonstrates that when multiple institutions work together, societies can successfully diminish malnutrition and food insecurity. Bukavu, like other cities in the DRC and around the globe, suffers continual conflict and humanitarian crises. Many structures -- including society, economy, and health care system -- are near collapse. Because of the lack of infrastructure, and security, deploying effective social programs is difficult. However, in 2003, Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme of the UN to create a food security program for HIV-positive individuals in Bukavu. This included distribution of seeds, tools and agricultural support, as well as a nutrition support system which distributed food rations and nutrition education to over 200 families. This program improved the medical management of HIV, as demonstrated by overall weight gain. If many more medical and nutrition agencies collaborated together, using Bukavu as an example, there would be more success in overcoming the challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition and HIV.³²

Clearly there is overwhelming evidence that confronting malnutrition and food security in the HIV/AIDS community is necessary to successfully treat the disease. It is imperative that in addition to increasing access to HIV medications, organizations must also provide nutritious, safe and sustainable food assistance.