Health and Nutrition
Nutrition Support for HIV-Positive Children
Undernourishment significantly impacts the well-being of children living with HIV/AIDS. Recognizing this, the People in Need Foundation (PNF) has implementing a dedicated nutrition initiative aimed at addressing the unique dietary requirements of HIV-positive children. Our comprehensive approach not only involves providing specially designed diets using affordable local ingredients but also extends to empowering grandparents who serve as primary caretakers for children who have lost both parents.
Key activities include the monthly distribution of nutritional ration to over 475 HIV-positive children, particularly those under the care of their grandparents. PNF conducts training sessions for grandparents, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to prepare nutritious meals using low-cost local cereals and pulses. This initiative not only addresses the dietary needs of the children but also empowers caregivers to provide optimal care.
Educational programs are an integral part of our initiative, focusing on educating both the HIV-positive children and their caretakers about the importance of regular drug intake. Health workers closely monitor and counsel on nutritional and drug adherence. Rigorous health checks on weight, growth, and infection incidence help tailor nutritional interventions and micronutrient supplements to meet the specific needs of each child.
Our holistic nutrition support not only addresses immediate dietary needs but also contributes to the overall health and immune system strength of HIV-positive children. By combining nutritional assistance with education and health monitoring, PNF aims to enhance the quality of life for these vulnerable children.
Livelihood Support for Caretakers of HIV-Positive Children
The People in Need Foundation (PNF) extends its mission beyond health interventions by providing essential livelihood support to impoverished caretakers of HIV-infected children. This initiative seeks to uplift their economic conditions, enabling them to meet the diverse needs of the children under their care, including education, healthcare, and nutrition. Importantly, PNF recognizes the potential vulnerability of these children, particularly in the event of the sudden demise of their grandparents, who often serve as caretakers. To address this concern, PNF offers tailored livelihood opportunities based on the caretakers' interests, local needs, and age considerations. By fostering economic empowerment, PNF aims to create a sustainable support system that ensures not only the well-being of the caregivers but also a secure future for the children.
Combating HIV/AIDS Through Awareness and Support
In the battle against HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh, a region identified as a hotspot for new infections in India, People in Need Foundation (PNF) adopts a multifaceted approach. Our initiatives are strategically designed to empower vulnerable communities through awareness, education, and comprehensive support.
Knowledge and Capacity Building: Addressing HIV Challenges in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh, identified as a hotspot for new HIV infections in India, presents a critical battleground in the fight against the epidemic, as highlighted by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and ICMR - National Institute of Medical Statistics. The 2021 Fact Sheet from NACO revealed an alarming 62.97 thousand Annual New Infections (ANI) in India, with a considerable share concentrated in southern states, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
In response to this urgent situation, the People in Need Foundation (PNF) has undertaken targeted initiatives to mitigate new HIV infections, focusing on high-risk demographic areas within Andhra Pradesh. Our multifaceted approach involves engaging with vulnerable groups such as youth, MSMs, Transgender, sex workers and migrant population through educational meetings, rallies, street plays, and interactive campaigns. Utilizing peer counseling, life skills training, and mass mobilization, we strive to instill safe practices, with a specific emphasis on safe sex and preventive measures. Going beyond mere awareness, these efforts are designed to build community capacities for prevention while simultaneously working to reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by HIV-positive individuals.
Care and Assistance for People Living with HIV: A Comprehensive Approach
In collaboration with government health agencies, PNF has established strategic partnerships to ensure comprehensive care and assistance for individuals living with HIV. Our initiatives facilitate access to counseling, testing, antiretroviral therapy, and crucial nutrition support. Trained community workers play a pivotal role in ensuring drug adherence through home visits and ongoing monitoring. Beyond the medical realm, we provide positive counseling to enhance mental well-being and establish connections for HIV-positive individuals, minimizing mortality risks. This integrated approach underscores PNF's commitment to not only addressing immediate health concerns but also building resilience and capacity within communities to combat the HIV epidemic effectively.
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Deworming Drives for Healthier Communities
Intestinal worm infections affect children's health and development in India. As part of our deworming initiative, we run periodic mass camps in rural areas and urban slums targeting children below 19 years. Our efforts focus on the high soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence districts of Andhra Pradesh based on prevalence mapping. Within these districts, we reach out to adolescent girls, young mothers and out-of-school children who are most vulnerable.
Our youth volunteers are trained to provide education on STH risks and prevention, screen for symptoms, and ensure treatment adherence through follow-up home visits. We visit homes of young antenatal and postnatal mothers to provide health education on worms, anemia and malnutrition. Last year, through 235 deworming camps we screened and treated over 8,000 children across operational districts.
Robust monitoring allows us to track coverage, treatment compliance, and reinfection rates. Our WASH initiatives like sanitation access, clean water and hygiene promotion complement deworming efforts by reducing disease transmission risks. Together, these interventions combat intestinal worm infections, improving child health and nutrition in endemic districts.