2^nd International Conference on
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Infections and AIDS

Biography:

CHRISTINE NAMUKASA-BA (SW)-Dip-PPM-4years –Project planning, monitoring, evaluation and coordination.

 Program Officer/ HIV/AIDs Coordinator: - ALLIED EFFORTS FOR COMMUNITY NETWORK ORGANIZATION.-KAMPALA-UGANDA

 

Abstract:

This presentation documents the experience of ALLIED Efforts for Community Network Organization a rural Community Based Organization in Uganda targeting Most At risk Populations (MARPs) to HIV/AIDS.

The project implemented aims at reducing HIV/AIDS/STs transmission among the MARPs who include Commercial sex workers and their clients, particularly, truck drivers.

 Strategies deployed include establishment of health service centers, psychosocial support, economic empowerment for safer income alternatives, HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), peer education, dissemination of messages on socio-cultural factors escalating HIV/AIDS and safer sex.

Commercial sex work is illegal in Uganda but Policy on HIV/AIDS acknowledges the victims as at risk Populations.  Policies provide the framework guiding interventions that include, bringing on board local community members, government, community organizations and beneficiaries for community mobilization and awareness raising on HIV/AIDS. Project challenges include limited resources and upsurge in demand for services. As a way forward, it is imperative to continue sustainable combination HIV prevention strategies to curb its surge.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

HIV is one of the leading causes of death worldwide; Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most gravely affected region of the world. In Uganda targeting of prevention efforts to Most-at-risk Population is a strategy being used to address HIV epidemics. By focusing programmes towards populations and behaviors conferring a large proportion of new infections, greater impact can be made in halting the epidemic.

Although commercial sex work is illegal in Uganda, the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP, 2016 – 2017), recognizes that, commercial sex workers and their clients are one of the Most at Risk Populations (MARPS). The Modes of Transmission study, 2017 reveals that, Commercial sex workers, their clients and partners of clients contribute 10% of new HIV infections. Sex workers serve several clients a day and each sexual encounter is associated with some form of risk hence a community risk. There is also evidence that, while 99% of Commercial sex workers report use of condoms, consistent condom use is very low among their clients,). Such sexual practices with inconsistent condom use are a danger to the community. With the emerging issues in the prevention of HIV that include the right to health and services, Gender Based Violence, Male Medical Circumcision, Post Exposure Prophylaxis among others we have a challenge and an opportunity  to strongly adopt these issues as we strive to the curb the escalation of the AIDS/ST1s  epidemic.

This presentation will document what our organization has done to address these challenges. It will detail the challenges and the opportunities in the provision of HIV and STIs prevention and control   services to Most At Risk Populations   today in a developing country.  Strategies and good practices that address the empowerment of Most at Risk Populations will also be addressed.