Resources / People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Context of Rural Poverty: the Importance of Water and Sanitation Services and Hygiene Education

Summary

This case study focuses on three settlements in the Bolobodu area of South Africa and confirms where water services and basic sanitation are inadequate or inaccessible, the time and monetary costs of accessing good quality water in sufficient quantities are high. Public health messages around “healthy living” for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) focus on nutrition and exercise, with no reference to the role of good basic hygiene, water and sanitation in minimizing exposure to pathogens and safe-guarding health.  The study recommends that the water sector pays far closer attention to the specific impacts of inadequate services on those who are HIV positive, works to strengthen targeted multi-sectoral initiatives and has a key role to play in promoting closer integration of support and training to caregivers.