This document summarizes a collaboration between RENEWAL Kenya and AMPATH to study the impact of nutrition interventions on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Kenya. The study found that providing supplementary food to PLHIV with low BMIs and CD4 counts improved their dietary diversity, household food security, health outcomes, and medication adherence. However, transitioning clients off food supplementation posed challenges. The findings influenced several Kenyan policies, including engagement in food and nutrition security policy discussions and revisions to the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS. It also led to dissemination of results through various conferences, websites, and peer-reviewed journals.

1. RENEWAL AMPATH COLLABORATION: OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRAM & POLICY INFLUENCE Margaret Akinyi Wagah (PhD) RK National Coordinator

2. Overview of RENEWAL Kenya Established in 2005 Need to increase awareness at the National levelon interconnectivities between: HIV&AIDS, Food and Nutrition Security & Sustainable Livelihoods Provide scientific evidence to guide national level programming & policy decisions

3. RENEWAL Country Networks

4. Figure 1: RENEWAL Kenya’s Architecture Action Research Capacity Development Policy Communications

5. RENEWAL-AMPATH COLLABORATION The Academic Model for Prevention and Treatment of HIV&AIDS (AMPATH) initiated in 2001 as a partnership between Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Moi University Faculty of Health Sciences Indiana University School of Medicine & RENEWAL study (2005)

6. AMPATH RENEWAL STUDY Research Title: Linking nutrition support with Treatment for PLHIV: Lessons Being Learnt in Kenya (Byron, E; Gillespie,S: Nangami, M) Objective: Establish how a nutrition intervention could influence nutritional status of PLHIV on ARV & their household resilience

7. METHODOLOGY Qualitative study with patients undergoing food supplementation experience + ARV treatment AMPATH/RENEWAL selection criteria: BMI <18.5 CD4 < 200 Food insecure Income level< Kshs.1500

8. FINDINGS FROM RESEARCH Key findings influencing Policy and Programming: Supplementary food provided from farm contributed to increased Dietary Diversity (Quality/Quantity) for HHs Collected food was adequate to be shared at hh level thus potentiallyincreasing household food security Improved health outcomes (weight gain)

9. FINDINGS Cont… Greater medication adherence was reported for patients enrolled in the program Previously, undesirable side effects due to lack of food contributed to adherence Fewer incidences of Opportunistic Infections Recovery of physical strength Resumption to previous IGA-related activities

10. CRITICAL ISSUES & EMERGING DEBATES Transitingclientsoff the food supplementation posed a major programmatic challenge Relapse to malnutrition once discharged from food supplementation & after physical recovery Sustainability issue (sustainable livelihoods) Scalability /cost of intervention

11. POLICY INFLUENCE The findings of this study has influenced a number of policy decisions: RKs engagement in policy discussions (FNS Policy) RKs instrumental role in National Strategic Plan (KNASP) 2009/10-20013/14 Discussions with key stakeholders e.g. FAO, WFP, Universities, GOK

12. POLICY INFLUENCE Cont… FNS policy consultations to determine if HIV&AIDS issues are effectively addressed.

14. international conferences (SCN);

15. National Conference

16. Websites;

18. Thank you