Publications

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a public health challenge that can degenerate into acquired immunodeficiencysyndrome (AIDS) if not properly managed. HIV infection shortens life expectancy to about 5 to 10 years compared to noninfectedindividuals. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are prone to several health challenges as a result of a deranged immune systemculminating in high morbidity and mortality. Depression is a common feature of PLWHA. Depression heightens the emergenceof opportunistic infections in HIV-infected individuals, accelerates the progression to AIDS, and increased suicidal tendencies,morbidity, and mortality. Food insecurity with its resultant undernutrition contributes to HIV/AIDS-related deaths. UndernourishedPLWHA are more prone to opportunistic infections due to poor immunity. Interestingly, proper diet intake can boost immunity, slowthe progression of AIDS and opportunistic infections, enhance body weight, and retard depression tendencies. Undernutritioncan also be ameliorated by incorporating nutritional counseling and oral nutrient supplementation in routine HIV/AIDS checkups.Therefore, to increase HIV/AIDS management outcomes, the integration of nutrition counseling, dietary supplements, and mentalhealth services should be embraced. Thus, HIV/AIDS care centers should amplify these services. In this article, we isolated relevantstudies from various databases, illuminated the interwoven relationship between HIV/AIDS, depression, and undernutrition, andalso reemphasized the need for adequate nutritional intervention in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Thus, this study provides areawakening call to focus on incorporating nutritional guides and mental health care in HIV/AIDS management protocols