the aids support organization, taso (u) ltd emmanuel odeke, prevention with positives; using...

The AIDS Support Organization, TASO (U) LTD

Emmanuel Odeke,

Prevention with Positives; Using Multiple Strategies to Involve Persons Living with HIV in Prevention. TASO Uganda.


PRESENTATION

IntroductionBrief BackgroundThe AIDS Support Organization (TASO)HIV prevention StrategiesPrevention with Positives InterventionsAchievementsConclusion


Efforts to prevent new HIV infections have expanded from a focus on HIV-negative individuals to include interventions targeting people living with HIV/AIDS.

Adopting strategies to involve persons living with HIV in prevention is key to reducing new infections.

INTRODUCTION


Background In 1982, the first AIDS case in Uganda was

diagnosed, and the link between ‘slim disease’ and AIDS was clinically recognized.

By this time the country was in the midst of a major epidemic, with prevalence rates of up to 29% in urban areas.

During the period 1992 to 2000. the HIV prevalence fell dramatically, from a peak in 1991 of around 15% among all adults, and over 30% among pregnant women in the cities, to around 5% in 2001.


Background Cont

The current HIV prevalence in Uganda is estimated at 6.4% among adults and 0.7% among children.

Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for 57% of all adults living with HIV

The number of new infections (an estimated 111,000 in 2008) exceeds the number of annual AIDS deaths (61,000 in 2008), and it is feared HIV prevalence in Uganda may be rising again.


TASO stands for “The AIDS Support Organization”. It is a Non-governmental organization in Uganda, founded in 1987 by a group of 16 volunteers including People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

From a small group initiative, TASO has grown into one of the biggest organized national response to HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda. involved in HIV prevention, care and support both at facility and community.

What is TASO


TASO TASO has 11 service centers a cross the country Each center extends its services to neighbouring

districts within a radius of 75km. TASO’s HIV/AIDS programs include;

HIV prevention Counseling Medical Care Social Support Training and Capacity development Community mobilization, Partnership and HIV

Education Advocacy and Networking Research


HIV prevention Strategies ABC HIV/AIDS Sensitization and community capacity

building. Behavioral change counseling. Home based HIV counseling and Testing. Treatment of STIs. PEP PMTCT Prevention with Positives


Active involvement of PLWHA in the planning, delivering and monitoring of prevention, treatment and care services (Meaningful Involvement of PLWHA). PLWHA committees (Client council committees) at

all centers Membership in Advisory boards of TASO Some Staff members are clients Involvement of HIV positive persons in HIV

sensitization through Music, Dance and Drama (MDD).

Prevention with Positives Interventions in TASO


HIV sensitization through Music, Dance and Drama


Interventions Cont

Counseling HIV positive persons to prevent transmission of HIV and this involves discussion of behavioral intervention in medical and counseling visits.

Promoting the use, and provision of condoms to sexually active HIV positive individuals accessing services from TASO.


Counseling session in progress


Discordant couple Being educated on Condom Use


Group session, a counselor educating on condom use


Strategies to increase adherence to PMTCT and therapeutic treatment regimens

Adherence counseling Use of pill boxes and Pill counts Community peer support groups and medicine companions.

Discussing with HIV-positive persons strategies for disclosing one’s HIV status to sex partners by self or counselor mediated during home visits or at the earliest opportunity.

Interventions Cont


Pill Count at clients Home


Providing diagnosis and treatment of STIs as part of routine HIV care.

Particular care paid to the syndromic management, diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes and other STIs in HIV-positive persons and their partners in Medical sessions.

Interventions Cont


Interventions Cont

Incorporating prevention interventions with PLWHA in community-based settings by;Formation of peer support groups in the

community. Home Based HIV counseling and

Testing of family members of PLWHA in care.

Community Volunteers to Monitor Adherence and referral


Most of the persons realize that they have a role to play in prevention of HIV.

There is 8.5% increase in the uptake of condoms by sexually active HIV positive person between the year 2008 and 2009.

Achievements


Adherence levels on antiretroviral drugs is at 92% of the clients on ART have adherence >95%.

Achievements

92%

8%

Adherence >95%

Adherence <95%


AchievementsThere is a remarkable increase of >50% in disclosure of HIV status to partners by PLWHAs between the year 2008 and 2009.

3400

1200

4530

3600

Active Client 2008 Disclosed 2008 Active Clients2009

Disclosed 2009


AchievementsThere was a reduction in the prevalence of STI among clients attending the clinics.

100

25.7

15.6

Active Clients Prevalence of STI 2008 Prevalence of STI 2009


Achievements

Community awareness of HIV has increased in the areas served by the organization hence reduction in stigma and discrimination.


HIV positive persons are important partners in HIV prevention therefore their involvement should be prioritized in all HIV prevention activities.

Conclusion


Co-authors Clients of TASO Development Partners TASO Management and Staff AIDS 2010 Conference organizers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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