Marseille 2007
| Abstract #159 - Communities - The Key Messengers of Change in HIV Prevention and Care of Persons Infected/Affected by HIV/AIDSTASO Mbale | ||||
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Session: 6.83: Posters A (Poster) on Monday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr David Damba - The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Uganda |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Sylvia Kushemererwa, Mrs Nasta Watuwa, Dr Christine Nabiryo, | ||||
| Aim: The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) is one of the key organizations in Uganda that have taken lead in addressing HIV/AIDS issues. TASO Mbale is one of the 11 TASO service delivery centers, has grown from 207 clients in 1990 to 19,026 in 2006. 75% of the clients live beyond 11km from the facility. Communities have been involved by TASO to address stigma and access of communities to basic HIV/AIDS information and first level care. | ||||
| Method / Issue: TASO Mbale has registered 12 communities operating in different districts. One of the centers core activities is training and conducting refresher courses for community workers and care providers to enable them carry out HIV/AIDS education, awareness campaigns, home care, referrals, monitor adherence and sexual behavior. On average, communities have recorded 908 people educated on HIV/AIDS, 83 AIDS talk shows, 10 newly registered clients, 92 referrals, 15 clients giving testimonies, 40 clients cared for at home, 131 clients counseled, and 1 Drama show per month in 2006. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Considering the growing number of clients vis--vis the minimal human resource and the distance where they live, there is need to build and strengthen capacity at community level, networking and collaborating with other partners. Community involvement has helped to confront stigma, discrimination, and making informed decisions in communities. Community interventions have promoted disclosure of sero-status from 35% in 2000 to 67% in 2006 of the 1,501 and 6,655 clients respectively. Clients have good adherence to drugs due to a strong community support extended both to them and their family members. Communities are willing to participate and own the community programmes. | ||||
| Discussion: Strengthening capacity building at community level, partnership and networking, motivation, and streamlining of the referral systems will foster the community response in the drive towards HIV prevention. | ||||
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