Chapter 7 - A Self-Management Framework to Assess the Need for Nutritional Supplementation in People Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has de-elevated human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) from an acute to a more manageable chronic disease. This advancement has necessitated people living with this disease to take an active role in their own care. A self-management framework to help assess the critical need for nutritional supplementation in people living with HIV/AIDS was presented. A synopsis of the literature found that those in need of this dietary practice included people with a lower socioeconomic status, mental health disorders, and substance-use problems. These HIV-seropositive people were likely to follow adverse dietary practices that contribute to depletion of CD4 T cells and compromise the proper functioning of the immune system. It was concluded that it is vital that professionals working with people living with HIV/AIDS integrate nutritional supplementation into their HIV/AIDS care.