Esther Ugo Alum, Okechukwu P. C. Ugwu, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Patrick Maduabuchi Aja, Michael Ben Okon and Daniel Ejim Uti
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the health burdens ravaging the world with severe impact in developing regions. Women and young girls are more threatened by HIV infection than their male counterparts. Notably, in 2022, 63% of all new HIV infections were attributed to women in sub-Saharan Africa. The anatomical architecture of the female genital tracts, poverty, gender imbalance, unrefined cultural norms aimed at subjugating women, early exposure to sex and marriage, and illiteracy are fingered to contribute to the increased risk of HIV infection in women and young girls. Mitigating these factors will no doubt help curb the prevalence of HIV infection. Herein, we highlighted some measures that could help turn down women’s risk of getting HIV including abstinence, regular use of condoms, delay in sexual exposure, maintaining one faithful partner, timely voluntary counseling and testing, formal education, monitoring of alcohol use, proper dieting, and scrapping of cultural norms targeted at subjugating women. Successfully turning down HIV infection risk in women and young girls will be a breakthrough in the combat against HIV infection since women and young girls being the most vulnerable group must have been salvaged. This paper reviewed the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in women and young girls, the factors fueling the high prevalence, and enumerated key areas to target in order to minimize this menace. Related published data from various databases were utilized.
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Esther Ugo Alum, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Okechukwu P. C. Ugwu, Chinyere Nneoma Ugwu, Daniel Ejim Uti, Awotunde O. Samson and Dorcas Ibukun Akinloye
Pregnancy demands unique nutritional necessities different from those of women who are not pregnant, involving vital roles of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. These elements are pivotal for the progression of a healthy pregnancy, aiding mothers in coping with common discomforts and averting complications. Presently, supplementation recommendations for pregnant women vary across nations, prompting the need for comprehensive nutrition counseling as a pivotal aspect of prenatal care. The state of a woman\'s nutrition has a major effect on her health, the course of her pregnancy, and the welfare of her fetus and newborn. Providers of healthcare must recognize and address these distinctive nutritional requisites, advocating for tailored counseling that considers diverse factors such as availability of food, social, ethnic background, cultural dietary selections, and body mass index. Adjustments become imperative in instances of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes. Collaboration with nutritionists or registered dietitians is instrumental in delivering effective dietary interventions. This review underscores the benefits and current guidelines for mineral, vitamin, and omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy while cautioning against the adverse effects of excessive nutrient consumption and advocating for consistent nutritional guidance.
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