Nutrition and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: an overview

HIV/AIDS is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa where, exacerbated by the presence of other common conditions such as malnutrition and opportunistic infections, it is wreaking devastation on families, communities, and nations. Just as epidemics vary by country, so do national responses to this complex emergency. This is illustrated by the cases of Botswana, South Africa, and Uganda. Nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies play an important additive role in immune degradation and impaired development in children. Careful implementation of antiretroviral drugs, complemented by simultaneous efforts to ensure proper nutrition among HIV-infected children and adults are essential components of an effective response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and elsewhere. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.