THE ROLE OF THE NUTRITIONIST ON THE CARE OF HIV/AIDS INDIVIDUALS IN THE BRAZILIAN PRISON SYSTEM: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature on the role of the nutritionist on the care of HIV/AIDS individuals in the Brazilian prison system. Material and Methods: searches were conducted on the following databases: Google Scholar, SciELO, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Ministry of Health VHL, and books, monographs, theses, dissertations and materials of the Ministry of Justice from 2004 to 2014. Searches were carried out using the following descriptors in Portuguese and English: HIV (AIDS Serodiagnosis), Prisons, Nutritional Sciences. Results: The National Health Plan in the Prison System was created to assist the prison population in the NHS and ensure their care by a team of health professionals. In contrast, Brazilian prisons still lack basic hygiene, have poor food provision and lack of care by a multidisciplinary team, making it a conducive environment to the emergence of diseases such as STDs, especially HIV/AIDS, which is a chronic disease causing a lot of complications and metabolic changes. Given that, nutritional counselling to combat these consequences is needed. Conclusion: As nutrition plays a role in guiding food intake, improves nutritional status and the prolongation of life of such individuals, it is clear the importance of having nutritionists in prisons, for both set up of menus and monitoring of individuals in particular conditions, such as in cases of HIV / AIDS. DESCRIPTORS HIV. AIDS. Prisons. Nutrition.