Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Tuesday, 26 November, 2002
More than one in seven of the 12 million people living in Malawi have HIV.
The disease has wreaked havoc in towns and cities across the country. It has also had a devastating impact on many farming communities.
Increasingly, families are now headed by women, children or grandparents. Many lack the skills and labour to run their farms.
A recent United Nations report found that HIV was responsible for growing food shortages across the country.
Devastation
It revealed that the disease has left many families unable to earn a living as key breadwinners are struck down.
One study, published earlier this year, suggested that about 70% of households have seen their income fall because of sickness.
It also revealed that half of the country's farming families had delayed harvesting their own crops so that members could earn vital cash elsewhere.
This practice has seen some farms losing part of or all of their crops.
In other areas, families have left land fallow because there is no one to look after the crops.
"About a quarter of poor households have been switching their crop mixes, abandoning certain crops or leaving land fallow if household members are seriously ill," a report by UNAids says.
This situation has been compounded by adverse weather conditions and a poor economy.
The government's decision to scale back a successful free seeds and fertilizer programme contributed to a slump in food production.
The UNAids report also highlights an over-reliance on maize, high inflation and poor management of farming resources as factors.
In addition, a labour shortage caused by HIV has created major problems across the country.
According to the UN, the country's current food crisis is inextricably linked to its HIV epidemic.
"Malawi's longstanding and severe HIV/Aids epidemic is a powerful contributing factor to the food crisis in this country," the report states.
According to the UN, an estimated 3m people are currently at risk from the growing food crisis.
021126
BB021125
Copyright © 2002 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.