Evidence Base

Water and HIV: Working for Positive Solutions

  • Source:
  • Organ J. ACF International

  • Summary:
  • This report paints a vivid picture of the water and sanitation needs of individuals and households affected by HIV/AIDS in Zambia. These needs are particularly great in terms of access, quantity of water and design of facilities.

  • Keywords:
  • Accessing Water Evidence Base People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal
  • Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in HIV-Positive Patients on the Island of Bioko: Its Relation to Sanitary Conditions and Socioeconomic Factors

    • Source:
    • Roka M. 2012. Sci Total Environ, July 2012.

    • Summary:
    • Gender, educational level and low hygiene were associated with intestinal parasitic infection. When comparing the two groups (HIV-positive and HIV-negative), statistical association between HIV co-infection and infection by Giardia and Entamoeba was found. The findings showed high rates of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-positive people and in the HIV-negative group, suggesting a closer relationship between sanitary status and living conditions than with immune status.

  • Keywords:
  • Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Gender Issues Handwashing (Hand Washing) Journal Articles
  • Water, Sanitation & Hygiene and HIV and AIDS: Opportunities for Integration

    • Source:
    • WaterAid America.

    • Summary:
    • Access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is essential for the 33 million people worldwide living with HIV and AIDS. People living with HIV (PLHIV) have rates of diarrheal diseases up to six times higher than in those who are not infected, have greater need for hygiene that those whose immune systems are not compromised, and require good nutrition for antiretroviral therapy (ART) to work best. Partnerships with WASH programs have the potential to yield a range of benefits for PLHIV, improving health and protecting livelihoods.

  • Keywords:
  • Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Household Water Treatment & Storage People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal
  • HIV and H(2)O: Tracing the Connections Between Gender, Water and HIV

    • Source:
    • West BS, Hirsch JS, El-Sadr W. 2012. AIDS Behav. 2012 Jun 4. Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.

    • Summary:
    • The health consequences for HIV-affected families of insufficient access to safe water and sanitation are particularly dire: inadequate access complicates medication adherence and increases vulnerability to opportunistic infections for persons living with HIV. The gendered nature of water collection and HIV care-with women disproportionately bearing the burden in both areas-presents an unrealized opportunity to improve HIV outcomes through investments in water/sanitation. Our findings suggest that the positive synergies of investing in water/sanitation in high HIV prevalence communities that are also expanding access to ART would be significant, with health multiplying effects that impact women and entire communities.

  • Keywords:
  • Accessing Water Evidence Base Gender Issues Journal Articles Sanitation/Feces Disposal
  • Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH) and HIV: Current Research and Opportunities

    • Source:
    • Brown, J. 2012. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

    • Summary:
    • This is a PowerPoint presentation covering the links between WASH and HIV, as well as summaries of research activities, opportunities, and LSHTM's current work on the topic.

  • Keywords:
  • Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Household Water Treatment & Storage People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal
  • Clinical and Social Determinants of Diarrhoeal Disease in a Rural HIV/AIDS Clinic, South Africa: A Case-Control Study

    • Source:
    • Moshabela M. 2012. Int J STD AIDS, May 2012, 23:346—350

    • Summary:
    • Diarrheal diseases are a common cause of morbidity and are associated with mortality in HIV-infected populations. Little is known about the contribution of clinical and socio-environmental factors to the risk of diarrhea in these populations in rural sub-Saharan Africa. The authors conducted a case-control study of people attending a rural HIV clinic with an episode of diarrhea in Bushbuckridge, South Africa. In multivariate analysis, diarrhea remained associated with female gender, limited access to water and pre-ART status. Further intervention research is urgently needed, combining community- and clinic-based approaches, to improve access to water, sanitation and ART for rural areas with high HIV prevalence, along with structural interventions to address gender inequities.

  • Keywords:
  • Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Gender Issues Journal Articles
  • Postnatal Depression Symptoms Are Associated with Increased Diarrhea Among Infants of HIV-Positive Ghanaian Mothers

    • Source:
    • Okronipa, H et al. 2012. AIDS Behav, 16: 2216-2225.

    • Summary:
    • HIV infection is linked to increased prevalence of depression which may affect maternal caregiving practices and place infants at increased risk of illness. We examined the incidence and days ill with diarrhea among infants of HIV positive (HIV-P), HIV negative (HIV-N), and unknown HIV status (HIV-U) women, and determined if symptoms of maternal postnatal depression (PND) modulated the risk of diarrhea. Pregnant women (n = 492) were recruited from three antenatal clinics; mothers and infants were followed for 12 months postpartum. Diarrheal incidence was 0.6 episodes/100 days at risk. More HIV-P than HIV-N and HIV-U women tended to report PND symptoms (v 2 = 4.76; P = 0.09). Reporting symptoms was associated with an increased risk of infantile diarrhea only among HIV-P and HIV-U but not HIVN women (interaction term, v 2 = 7.84; P = 0.02). Health care providers should be aware of the increased risk of infantile diarrhea when both maternal HIV and PND symptoms are present and take preventive action.

  • Keywords:
  • Breast Feeding/Infant Feeding Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Journal Articles Maternal and Child Health People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)
  • Health Impact of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in Relation to Home-Based Care for People Living with HIV and AIDS in the Limpopo Province

    • Source:
    • Potgieter N, du Preez M. 2012. WRC

    • Summary:
    • A substantial burden of the care of people with HIV and AIDS has been placed on the elderly, school-going children, family members, friends and different care organizations within the community. Among many governments and communities, home-based care is based on volunteers whom are unrecognized, under-valued and frequently unpaid. They are largely women and girls. Home-based care is seen as work that does not require remuneration and therefore it is not currently considered within the scope of policies and legislation. The aim of the Water Research Commission project was to investigate home-based care practices with regards to the experiences of caregivers and to perform a health risk assessment of the water used for domestic purposes in households caring for people living with HIV and AIDS.

  • Keywords:
  • Evidence Base Gender Issues Handwashing (Hand Washing) Home-Based Care Household Water Treatment & Storage People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal
  • Cryptosporidium Contamination of Drinking Water for People Living with HIV/AIDS: The Need for Effective Interventions

    • Source:
    • Peletz, R & Mahin, T. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine & Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

    • Summary:
    • The waterborne pathogen Cryptosporidium is currently one of the most frequently identified intestinal pathogens throughout the world and one of the most common waterborne pathogens associated with diarrhoea in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

  • Keywords:
  • Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Household Water Treatment & Storage People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV)
  • Innovations in Water and Sanitation – Helping People Living with HIV to Access Better Water and Sanitation Facilities

    • Source:
    • Catholic Relief Services

    • Summary:
    • A healthy environment is crucial for maintaining the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS, and for the success of home-based care. The WHO estimates that 85 to 90 percent of diarrheal illnesses in developing countries can be attributed to unsafe water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices, such as handwashing with soap, treatment and safe storage of water, and safe feces disposal. Proper care requires not only safe drinking water, but also larger quantities of water for hygiene and sanitation purposes, and because of physical limitations caused by HIV/ AIDS, the design of water and sanitation facilities greatly influences effective access to these services. Unfortunately, water and sanitation services are extremely limited in many of the countries most affected by the HIV/ AIDS pandemic.

  • Keywords:
  • Accessing Water Diarrheal Diseases Evidence Base Handwashing (Hand Washing) Home-Based Care Household Water Treatment & Storage Innovation People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Sanitation/Feces Disposal