By Kate A. Greenaway, Elizabeth C. Jere, Milika E. We are also grateful to the interviewees, focus group participants and research assistants for their participation in this study.
There is increasing evidence that antiretroviral therapy ART outcomes and nutrition interventions are closely linked. Studies from sub- Saharan Africa have established that low Body Mass Index BMI at ART initiation is a significant predictor of early mortality and that malnutrition plays a substantial role in disease progression 1,2,3.
In late-stage HIV infection, unintended weight loss is common: up to 25 percent of clients experience dramatic, life-threatening weight loss. While empirical evidence about causal relationships between nutrition support, weight gain and improved treatment outcomes among ART clients is lacking, there is evidence that weight gain at three months on ART is strongly associated with survival 4 and that nutrition supplements have a positive effect on ART adherence 5.
The evaluation was undertaken to understand the practical implications of FBP implementation and to gather information on client outcomes.
The Zambia FBP model prescribes and dispenses specialised nutrition commodities in response to clinical malnutrition Figure 1. The model requires that nutrition assessment, education, counselling and support including food dispensing be synchronised with HIV care and treatment services.
