Irwin B, Parker J; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. MoOrE1076.

Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Issue: HIV/AIDS affected households have reduced labor availability due to mortality and morbidity and the increase in non-productive caring activities. In addition affected households have increased costs for medical and funeral expenses. Within a household, fewer people must earn a higher household income to maintain their standard of living. There is a need to enable AIDS-affected households to overcome these constraints and maintain participation in productive activities. Description: DAI's USAID-funded LEAD program in Zimbabwe has involved HIV/AIDS affected households in home nutrition gardens (HNG) by addressing a key resource constraint: labor. The project incorporates the use of low-labor drip irrigation technology into the HNG program. Drip irrigation uses 50% less water than ordinary household gardens, reducing the watering time by half and easing the labor constraint of AIDS-affected households. The drip kits also result in increased yields and allow for 3 rotations per growing season (compared to 2 rotations). The costs of the drip kits can be recovered in less than one growing season if used for a cash crop. To date, the program has established over 9,000 household gardens, supporting at least 75,000 people, including 35,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). These gardens are meeting the complete vegetable needs of households, plus additional cash income of US[dollar]20 to US[dollar]120 per year which has improved their access to healthcare and education. Lessons Learned: Introducing technology to alleviate one of the key constraints of AIDS affected households enables those households to participate in an income generating activity that also increases food security and improves the resilience of the household by improving access to education and healthcare. Recommendations: Programs working to mitigate the economic impact of HIV/AIDS at the household level should look at the key constraints to HIV/AIDS-affected household participation and determine if a simple lo w-cost technology exists to alleviate those constraints.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Child
• Dietary Supplements
• Family Characteristics
• Foster Home Care
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Expenditures
• Housing
• Humans
• Income
• Nutrition Physiology
• Research
• Vegetables
• Zimbabwe
• economics
• methods

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0035088

UI: 102279304

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