AN ASSESSMENT OF FOOD SECURITY INTERVENTIONS

In the era of AIDS, food and nutrition are becoming more of a priority for many households and communities. Food and nutrition are fundamentally intertwined with HIV transmission and the impacts of AIDS. The purpose of the study was to inform improvements in food security interventions for PLWHA through an investigation of existing food security interventions in the Khomas Region, Namibia. Through a qualitative, explorative, descriptive study design, the study got an in-depth understanding of programmes in place for PLWHA on treatment and the perceptions of PLWHA on treatment benefiting from such programmes. Purposeful selection of participants was used to ensure that only those capable of providing in-depth information were selected. Data was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study makes recommendations with specific emphasis on strengthening HIV and AIDS programmes with food-based programmes to enhance greater involvement of PLWHA in agricultural programmes. Strong recommendations are made for food security programmes to adopt a household approach in tackling food insecurity of PLWHA on treatment.