Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies among African American Women Living with HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy in Rural Alabama

Abstract

Andrew A Zekeri

Background: As an extension of previous research in rural Alabama on HIV/AIDS, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of food insecurity among African American women living with HIV/AIDS and examine the coping strategies they use to get food for themselves and their children.

Methods: Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the study. Two hundred and fifty African American women living with HIV/AIDS were recruited from two HIV/AIDS clinics and interviewed about food insecurity and coping strategies.

Results: The findings showed that most of the women were food insecure and used numerous strategies to cope with food insecurity. The strategies included receiving food from food banks, supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, receiving food from family members and friends, making cheaper meals, food from churches, and reducing the amount food cooked for meals. The food insecure women were more likely to be depressed and suffer from psychological distress than do others. Food insecurity is a barrier to medication adherence among these women living with HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that addressing food insecurity should be a significant issue in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs in the 21st Century. There is a need for continuous monitoring of food insecurity among people living with AIDS by health care providers in their education to promote adherence to medications and health well-being.