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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

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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.