Moresby food isn't good: Food security, nutritional information and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Papua New Guinea

The relationship between HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), food security and nutrition has become increasingly important to practitioners, policy makers and people living with HIV. In this paper we describe for the first time the connection between HIV and antiretroviral therapies, the extent of n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Papua New Guinea medical journal Vol. 54; no. 1/2; pp. 23 - 34
Main Authors:	Kelly, A, Mek, A, Frankland, A, Akunai, F, Kepa, B, Kupul, M, Nosi, S, Cangah, B, Walizopa, L, Pirpir, L, Emori, R, Worth, H, Siba, P M, Man, W Y N
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Papua New Guinea 01-03-2011
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Aged Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use Appetite - drug effects Counseling Female Food security Food Supply Highly active antiretroviral therapy HIV infections HIV Infections - drug therapy Humans Male Medication Adherence Middle Aged Nutrition counseling Nutritional aspects Papua New Guinea Qualitative Research Treatment Urban Population Young Adult Papua New Guinea
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Summary:	The relationship between HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), food security and nutrition has become increasingly important to practitioners, policy makers and people living with HIV. In this paper we describe for the first time the connection between HIV and antiretroviral therapies, the extent of nutritional counselling for HIV-positive people and food security in Papua New Guinea (PNG). A total of 374 HIV-positive people who were over the age of 16 and who had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than two weeks were recruited from six provinces, using a non-probability, convenience sampling methodology. A subsample of 36 participants also completed an in-depth qualitative interview. Participants received nutritional advice when beginning ART which focused on three main domains, of which the first two were the most frequently mentioned: what foods to avoid; what foods to eat; and how frequently to eat. 72% of the sample reported that they had experienced an increase in their appetite. Of those who reported that their appetite had increased on ART 33% reported that they did not have enough food to satisfy hunger. People who lived in the capital city, Port Moresby, within the Southern Region of PNG, had significantly more difficulty with food security than those who lived in other regions of the country. Not having enough food was the third most commonly recorded reason for non-adherence to ART. Responses to the HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea must also begin to address the phenomenon of food insecurity for people with HIV, in particular those who are receiving antiretroviral therapies and who live in the urban areas.
Bibliography:	Papua New Guinea Medical Journal, Vol. 54, No. 1/2, Mar/June 2011: 23-34 PNGMJ.jpg ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0031-1480