Authors SP Akena 1 , J. Oburu 2 , D Sera 1 , L Cicci ò 1
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www.ias2011.org Empowering the community to address the needs of HIV positive youths in a post- conflict district Northern Uganda Authors SP Akena 1 , J. Oburu 2 , D Sera 1 , L Cicciò 1 Institute (s): 1 JSI/NUMAT, Gulu, Uganda, 2 Health Alert, Gulu, Uganda
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Empowering the community to address the needs of HIV positive youths in a post-conflict district Northern Uganda. Authors SP Akena 1 , J. Oburu 2 , D Sera 1 , L Cicci ò 1 Institute (s): 1 JSI/NUMAT, Gulu, Uganda, 2 Health Alert, Gulu, Uganda. Presentation Outline. Background - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Authors SP Akena 1 , J. Oburu 2 , D Sera 1 , L Cicci ò 1
www.ias2011.org
Empowering the community to address the needs of HIV positive youths in a post-conflict district
Northern Uganda
AuthorsSP Akena1, J. Oburu2, D Sera1, L Cicciò1
Institute (s): 1JSI/NUMAT, Gulu, Uganda, 2Health Alert, Gulu, Uganda
www.ias2011.org
Presentation Outline
• Background
• Intervention
• Results
• Lessons Learnt
• Conclusion
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Background
• Northern Uganda Malaria AIDS and TB Programme (NUMAT) is a 5 years USAID funded programme implemented in 15 post-conflict districts of Northern Uganda.
• Goal: To expand access to and utilization of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria prevention, treatment, care and support activities in north central Uganda.
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Background Cont
• Young people remain at the centre of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in terms of – Rates of infection, – vulnerability, – impact, and – potential for change
• In Uganda, new infections among children are estimated at 25,000 annually
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Background Cont
• Country wide only 8.3% of all patients on HAART are children.
• In Northern Uganda, only 10,000 out of 50,000 who require treatment are on HAART
• Many parents live in denial about their children’s HIV status- Stigma
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Objectives of the Intervention
• To address youth specific HIV/AIDS needs, NUMAT partnered with Health Alert to; – Increase community awareness &
understanding of comprehensive needs of the youth living with HIV/AIDS
– Strengthen communities and families to provide youth friendly environment and psychosocial support services to the youth
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Intervention
• CORPS– Training CVCs
• Community– Dialogue meetings
• Schools– Peer support clubs– Mentoring teachers &
school matrons
•
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Intervention Cont
• Families – Training and mentoring care takers– Engagement of family members for HIV/AIDS
service uptake• Networks of PLWHIV
– Engagement of NSAs in tracing & follow up of children and families in need of care
– PWP
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Results
• From June 2010 to May 2011:– 436 CVCs trained– 2060 community
members sensitized on youth related HIV/AIDS issues.
– 1500 youths in and out of schools mobilized for HCT
– 125 tested HIV+ and enrolled into care
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Results Cont
– 95 of the HIV+ started on HAART
– Care takers/mothers trained in home based care
– Homes of the 125 youths were mapped for follow up.
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Lessons learnt• Engagement of CORPS enhances ownership
and success of HIV/AIDS program
• Supporting community structures increases demand and uptake of HIV/AIDS services
• Involvement of child handlers (schools) is critical in reduction of stigma and discrimination among youth
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Conclusion
• Community involvement in HIV/AIDS programming is critical in ensuring success in treatment and care for the youth.
