Health Education On HIV/AIDS Oromo Community, Washington DC

Health Education On HIV/AIDS and Nutrition Oromo Community, Washington DC

Teshome Geleta Deksissa,M.D.

• . A major global public health problem since early 1980’s. • .HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus. • The virus that causes AIDS. • AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome. • Claimed 39 million….mostly in Sub-Saharan countries. • 35 million people live with HIV.

• HIV lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells… the immune cells.

• WBC protects us from disease.

• Damage to the WBC….low immunity…infection / cancer….AIDS.

• No safe and effective cure currently exists. • How is HIV transmitted? • 1. body fluids: blood, breast milk, genital secretions. • • • •

2.Injections : sharing needles, sharp materials. 3. blood / blood products transfusions . 4. mother to child.

• HIV doesn’t discriminate!

• PREVENTION

• • • • • •

1.Abstinence 2. Be faithful/ monogamy….after negative result. 3. condom use… consistent, proper use. 4.Don’t share sharp equipment/ needles. 5.Screened blood … before transfusion. 6.Avoid pregnancy/ early treatment for both the Mom and the baby… during pregnancy and immediately after birth. • 7.C / Section. • 8.No breast feeding.

• What is the best approach? • 1. Knowledge/ Health Education….prevention. • 2. VCT. Know your serum status. • No preventive vaccine or Cure. • ART to prolong life… With change of life style to decrease risk/ further exposure…. Different varieties and increased viral load.

NUTRITION • Why food is important? • For growth. • For development • For repair. • For survival / maintenance

The 6 Nutrients: 1.Carbohydrate 2.Fats 3.Protien 4. Vitamins 5.Minerals 6.Water

• Balanced Diet: everything is about balance. • Malnutrition…abnormal ( excess or less) • Under nutrition…starving….Disease • Over nutrition…overweight / Obesity…Disease

• Food/ nutrition related health problems: • Overweight, obesity, high cholesterol, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension….. Heart attack, stroke. • Under nutrition: low immunity/ infection or cancer, anemia, goiter, nerve problem, stunted growth, underweight. • Daily requirement varies: age, sex, level of activity, health status. • BALANCE…BALANCE….BALANCE !!!

•Questions ? •MARII