Investigating Responses to Food Insecurity Among HIV Positive People in Resource Rich Settings: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• HIV/AIDS Research
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Food insecurity affects millions living with HIV (PLWHA), exacerbating health issues like substance use, depression, and poor medication adherence.
• This vulnerability can lead to nutritional deficiencies, medication interference, and engagement in risky behaviors to obtain food.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing intervention research on food insecurity among PLWHA in high-resource countries.
• To identify successful models and best practices for addressing food insecurity in this population.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted.
• Five relevant articles were identified, primarily from the USA and Canada, employing diverse methodologies including cross-sectional, program evaluation, ethnographic, and qualitative approaches.

Main Results:

• A significant lack of published research on HIV and food insecurity in resource-rich nations was identified.
• No standardized or best-practice interventions for providing food aid to PLWHA to improve food security were found.
• The limited available research suggests a need for greater dissemination of program information and community-based knowledge.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical gap in evidence-based interventions for food insecurity among PLWHA in high-resource settings.
• The lack of shared knowledge leads to inconsistent approaches, potential duplication of efforts, and resource inefficiencies.
• Further dedicated evaluation and longitudinal research are essential to develop effective strategies and best practices.