Soybean (Glycine Max) Complementation and the Zinc Status of HIV and AIDS Affected Children in Suba District, Kenya (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION The HIV and AIDS pandemic has become a serious health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Estimates indicate that over 40 million people are currently living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, more than 70% of whom are in SSA [1]. The Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey (KAIS) report [2] indicates that the HIV prevalence rate in Kenya rose from 5.9% in 2005 to 7.4% in 2007. Nyanza Province where Suba District is located bore the brunt of HIV and AIDS with the highest (15.3%) prevalence in the country; this is more than double the national prevalence. The scourge has brought about orphan-hood in communities; out of the 12 million orphaned children in SSA [1, 3], 1.1 million are found in Kenya alone [4]. Majority of households affected by HIV and AIDS are chronically food insecure leading to child malnutrition. In Tanzania and Zambia, orphans were reported to be more likely to be stunted and wasted compared to children with parents [5].