Food security situation among people living with HIV/AIDS in Morogoro municipality
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Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A study to assess food security situation among people living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWHA) in Morogoro Municipality was conducted using two non governmental
organizations (NGO) that are dealing with such people, namely Faraja Trust Fund
(FTF) and “Wanaoishi na Virusi vya UKIMW1 Morogoro
(WAVUMO). The
objectives of the study were to identify constraints and copping strategics by
PLWHA in obtaining their daily meals, characterize the available nutritional
guidelines for PLWHA. The awareness about linkages between nutrition and HIV
was assessed, identification of organizations dealing with PLWHA in the area and
characterize their activities. A cross sectional research design was adopted where
purposive sampling method was used to obtain 90 PLWHA and 30 caregivers from
the two NGOs. Interviews using structured questionnaires and focus group
discussions were used to collect data. Key informants from various stakeholders
were interviewed. The data were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program. Results indicated that, source of food
for respondents contributed to constraints for PLWHA to obtain enough/nutritious
foods. Majority of respondents (58.3%) depended on markets/shops for their food
and failed to meet their daily meal requirements. This was mainly due to reduction in
ability to produce (60.7%) and earn income (82.6%). Among the copping strategies
for inadequate food adopted by PLWHA, skipping some meals ranked high (41.1%).
Nine nutritional guidelines were available in Tanzania but none among them was
easily accessed by PLWHA, caregivers even organizations dealing with PLWHA in
the study. Six organizations dealing with PLWHA in Morogoro Municipality wereiii
identified but only two provided food aids and one financial credits. It was
concluded that most of PLWHA face food deficit contributed by not only
unavailability and accessibility, but also lack of nutritional knowledge. It is
recommended that governmental and NGOs should make nutritional guidelines
available to PLWHA and caregivers together with providing capacity building
supports which arc long term solutions compared to food relief.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Food security, HIV/AIDS, Security situation