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Advances In Conceptualizing And Measuring Stigma Among People Living With Hiv, Project Soar
Advances In Conceptualizing And Measuring Stigma Among People Living With Hiv, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Stigma, defined as the co-occurrence of labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination in a context in which power is exercised, has a negative impact on the health of people living with HIV (PLHIV), contributing to psychosocial stress, coercion and violence, job loss, and social exclusion. Widely recognized as a barrier to accessing HIV care, it is paramount that programs and policies are designed to mitigate HIV-related stigma to achieve the UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals. Project SOAR recognizes the importance of addressing stigma to control the HIV epidemic through testing, treatment, and viral suppression. Project SOAR has contributed to the evidence …
Optimizing Delivery Of Hiv Testing Services To Strengthen The Continuum Of Care, Project Soar
Optimizing Delivery Of Hiv Testing Services To Strengthen The Continuum Of Care, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
HIV testing is a critical entry point to life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for those diagnosed with HIV and to prevention services for those at high risk of acquiring HIV. Despite advances in testing, there remain a variety of social and programmatic challenges that prevent access to HIV testing services, particularly for men and key populations. HIV program managers and policymakers are increasingly invested in understanding how best to deliver HIV testing services to different populations and to maximize health system resources at facility and community levels. Project SOAR has contributed to the evidence base and catalyzed research use by examining …
The Power And Process Of Shifting Gender Norms: Insights From A Randomized Controlled Trial In South Africa, Nicole Haberland, Julie Pulerwitz, Ann Gottert, Audrey Pettifor, Sheri A. Lippman, Dean Peacock, Lumbwe Chola, Ryan Wagner, Anna M. Leddy, Rebecca West, Mi-Suk Kang Dufour, Jennifer Hove, Rhian Twine, Rhandzekile Mathebula, Dumisani Rebombo, Angelica Pino, F. Xavier Gómez-Olivé, Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, Nkosinathi Masilela, Aimée Julien, Kathryn Spielman, Kathleen Kahn
The Power And Process Of Shifting Gender Norms: Insights From A Randomized Controlled Trial In South Africa, Nicole Haberland, Julie Pulerwitz, Ann Gottert, Audrey Pettifor, Sheri A. Lippman, Dean Peacock, Lumbwe Chola, Ryan Wagner, Anna M. Leddy, Rebecca West, Mi-Suk Kang Dufour, Jennifer Hove, Rhian Twine, Rhandzekile Mathebula, Dumisani Rebombo, Angelica Pino, F. Xavier Gómez-Olivé, Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, Nkosinathi Masilela, Aimée Julien, Kathryn Spielman, Kathleen Kahn
HIV and AIDS
This Project SOAR report summarizes findings from a randomized controlled trial of Tsima ra rihanyu (“working together for health”), a three-year community mobilization program for treatment as prevention that aimed to address the social barriers to HIV testing and treatment in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. In this report, the authors explore the types of gender norms that are salient for women and men, how these relate to HIV testing and treatment, and the pathways through which gender norms operate to affect women’s and men’s HIV service use and experience and perpetration of intimate partner violence.
Characteristics And Relationship Dynamics Of Male Partners Of Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Malawi, Project Soar
Characteristics And Relationship Dynamics Of Male Partners Of Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Malawi, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Project SOAR, in collaboration with the Center of Reproductive Health at the University of Malawi College of Medicine, conducted qualitative research in the Zomba and Machinga districts to understand how programs can better engage men living with HIV in care, treatment, and support services. This brief summarizes findings on men’s characteristics, the types and dynamics of their sexual relationships, and their vulnerabilities and environmental stressors.
Factors Influencing Hiv Care Outcomes Among Adolescents Living With Hiv In Rural South Africa, Lindsey M. Filiatreau, Audrey Pettifor, Jess Edwards, Nkosinathi Masilela, Rhian Twine, F. Xavier Gómez-Olivé, Nicole Haberland, Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, Sheri A. Lippman, Kathleen Kahn
Factors Influencing Hiv Care Outcomes Among Adolescents Living With Hiv In Rural South Africa, Lindsey M. Filiatreau, Audrey Pettifor, Jess Edwards, Nkosinathi Masilela, Rhian Twine, F. Xavier Gómez-Olivé, Nicole Haberland, Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, Sheri A. Lippman, Kathleen Kahn
HIV and AIDS
In the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) site in rural Mpumalanga Province, South Africa the Project SOAR team hypothesized that HIV status disclosure, individuals’ prior healthcare seeking experiences, history of depression and overall emotional well-being, experiences with domestic and intimate partner violence, and substance use could contribute to poor levels of treatment adherence among adolescents living with HIV. The overall objective of this study was to better understand HIV care outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in the Agincourt HDSS in the era of universal test and treat so we can better inform HIV care programs targeting this vulnerable population.
Hiv Knowledge, Service Utilization, And Exposure To Dreams Among Male Partners Of Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Malawi, Project Soar
Hiv Knowledge, Service Utilization, And Exposure To Dreams Among Male Partners Of Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Malawi, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Project SOAR, in collaboration with the Center of Reproductive Health at the University of Malawi College of Medicine, conducted qualitative research in the Zomba and Machinga districts to understand how programs can better engage men living with HIV in care, treatment, and support services. This brief summarizes findings on men’s knowledge of HIV, use of HIV services, stigma, and exposure to PEPFAR’s DREAMS (Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS-free Mentored and Safe) program which took a multi-sectoral approach to reduce HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women and their male partners.
Assessment Of Community-Based Art Service Model Linking Female Sex Workers To Hiv Care And Treatment In Blantyre And Mangochi, Malawi, Lung Vu, Brady Zieman, Adamson Muula, Vincent Samuel, Lyson Tenthani, David Chilongozi, Simon Sikwese, Grace Kumwenda, Scott Geibel
Assessment Of Community-Based Art Service Model Linking Female Sex Workers To Hiv Care And Treatment In Blantyre And Mangochi, Malawi, Lung Vu, Brady Zieman, Adamson Muula, Vincent Samuel, Lyson Tenthani, David Chilongozi, Simon Sikwese, Grace Kumwenda, Scott Geibel
HIV and AIDS
The Population Council and partners (through Project SOAR) conducted this study to assess whether acquiring antiretroviral treatment medication through community-based drop-in centers would appeal to female sex workers in this context, to describe any observed effects on treatment outcomes, and to identify opportunities for improvement should this model be selected for future scale-up.
Piloting And Evaluating Family-Centered Hiv Care In Eswatini, Caspian Chouraya, Nobuble Mthethwa, Lynne Mofenson, Philisiwe Khumalo, Lydia Mpango, Munamato Mirira, Rhoderick Machekano, Leila Katirayi, Kim Ashburn
Piloting And Evaluating Family-Centered Hiv Care In Eswatini, Caspian Chouraya, Nobuble Mthethwa, Lynne Mofenson, Philisiwe Khumalo, Lydia Mpango, Munamato Mirira, Rhoderick Machekano, Leila Katirayi, Kim Ashburn
HIV and AIDS
There are substantial gaps in essential services and numerous missed opportunities to engage children in care and provide effective HIV treatment. Although not new, family-centered care models that provide HIV services comprehensively to families as a unit, rather than providing separate services to children and adults, have the potential to address family needs and break down social, physical, and emotional barriers to accessing care. The family-centered care study (FAM-CARE) aims to contribute to our understanding of the role of family-centered care models (FCCM) in improving pediatric HIV outcomes in a sub-Saharan African setting.
Evidence Around Engaging Men In Hiv Prevention And Treatment, Julie Pulerwitz, Ann Gottert, Jerry Okal, Sanyukta Mathur
Evidence Around Engaging Men In Hiv Prevention And Treatment, Julie Pulerwitz, Ann Gottert, Jerry Okal, Sanyukta Mathur
HIV and AIDS
No abstract provided.
Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor In-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar
Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor In-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
No abstract provided.
Strengthening Capacity To Prevent Hiv Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women: Supporting Dreams Programming, Project Soar
Strengthening Capacity To Prevent Hiv Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women: Supporting Dreams Programming, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
The Population Council, with funding from Girl Effect, worked in seven Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) Partnership countries to strengthen the capacity of implementing partners to develop new approaches to reach AGYWs at highest risk of HIV infection, link them with essential resources, and empower them with social and protective assets for a safe and healthy entry into adulthood. This technical assistance was informed by the Population Council’s decades of research and experience determining “what works”—and what doesn’t work—in girl-centered programming. Through Project SOAR, the Population Council provided technical assistance to implementing partners in five additional countries …
Women And Hiv: Understanding And Addressing Stigma—Evidence From The Population Council, Population Council
Women And Hiv: Understanding And Addressing Stigma—Evidence From The Population Council, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
Over the last 20 years, the Population Council has carried out extensive work examining the intersection of stigma and gender and its impact on HIV-related outcomes. This brief summarizes key Population Council findings from a range of studies which elucidate the experiences of stigma among women and highlights avenues for addressing stigma to mitigate women’s risk and burden of HIV.
Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor Pre-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar
Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor Pre-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
No abstract provided.
Namibia Has A Strong Foundation For Implementing The Treat All Guidelines And Reaching The Unaids 90-90-90 Targets, Project Soar
Namibia Has A Strong Foundation For Implementing The Treat All Guidelines And Reaching The Unaids 90-90-90 Targets, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
In late 2015, the World Health Organization announced new treatment guidelines recommending that anyone who has tested positive for HIV should begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible. In light of this policy, the Government of Namibia included “treat all” in the 2016 National Guidelines for ART, and began nationwide implementation in April 2017. Project SOAR is generating evidence on how the national rollout of the treat all guidelines and decentralization of ART services affect client-level treatment outcomes, quality of ART services, and treatment costs in Namibia. This brief highlights baseline findings that provide a snapshot of ART services …
Strengthening The Integration Of Family Planning And Hiv Services At The Community Level In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Sara Chace Dwyer, Brian Mdawida, Charlotte E. Warren, Melsa Lutomia, Jane Koech, Elizabeth Washika, Aparna Jain
Strengthening The Integration Of Family Planning And Hiv Services At The Community Level In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Sara Chace Dwyer, Brian Mdawida, Charlotte E. Warren, Melsa Lutomia, Jane Koech, Elizabeth Washika, Aparna Jain
Reproductive Health
Study findings reveal that many Kenyan women living with HIV are comfortable receiving family planning (FP) services from community health volunteers and with proper training and support, community health volunteers have the potential to provide integrated FP/HIV services. Community-based integrated FP/HIV services could help connect women living with HIV who want to prevent or postpone a pregnancy to contraceptive services, which can reduce unintended pregnancies and in turn maternal mortality and vertical transmission of HIV. This implementation research study offers evidence of the feasibility, quality of care, and acceptability of using community health volunteers to integrate family planning into HIV/AIDS …
Optimizing Implementation Of Universal Hiv Treatment Coverage For People Living With Hiv In Senegal, Project Soar
Optimizing Implementation Of Universal Hiv Treatment Coverage For People Living With Hiv In Senegal, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Senegal plans a rapid scale up of HIV treatment for all people living with HIV (PLHIV), regardless of CD4 count or viral suppression. However, limited data exist on how to achieve sustained viral suppression among PLHIV in real world contexts where significant barriers to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery, uptake, and adherence persist. This brief describes a universal coverage ART intervention Project SOAR is conducting among PLHIV who are not virally suppressed. The findings from this study will inform the rollout of Senegal’s national test and treat strategy.
Creating A Culture Of Evidence Use: Using An Innovative Knowledge Translation Platform To Inform Hiv/Aids Programming For Women And Girls, Jill Gay, Melanie Croce-Galis, Karen Hardee, Amelia Peltz
Creating A Culture Of Evidence Use: Using An Innovative Knowledge Translation Platform To Inform Hiv/Aids Programming For Women And Girls, Jill Gay, Melanie Croce-Galis, Karen Hardee, Amelia Peltz
Reproductive Health
Given that moving evidence from a study to policy, programs, and practice can often take a decade or more, what is the best way to get evidence into the hands of those developing policies and programs to speed its use? Enhancing the use of evidence in policies and programs through an innovative web-based knowledge platform, What Works for Women: Evidence for HIV/AIDS Interventions, resulted in major changes in National Strategic HIV Plans plus Concept Notes submitted to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 14 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This paper documents how components …
Status Of Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights In Zambia: Violence Against Women And Hiv/Aids Prevention And Treatment, Population Council
Status Of Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights In Zambia: Violence Against Women And Hiv/Aids Prevention And Treatment, Population Council
Reproductive Health
In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development affirmed that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are human rights. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has fully committed to fulfilling the SRHR of all people by ratifying 11 international instruments of law. This brief is Part 3 of a three-part series entitled “Status of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Zambia,” reporting on progress, gaps, and existing challenges in SRHR. Using a human rights–based approach, the Government of Zambia and collaborators, with technical facilitation by the Population Council, conducted an assessment of the status of SRHR …
Assessment Of Comprehensive Hiv-Risk Reduction Programming For Adolescent Girls And Young Women: Implementation Science Research In Kenya, Population Council
Assessment Of Comprehensive Hiv-Risk Reduction Programming For Adolescent Girls And Young Women: Implementation Science Research In Kenya, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
The Population Council is conducting implementation research to build needed evidence to inform decisionmaking around effective implementation of community-based, girl-centered interventions and to assess their effectiveness in reducing HIV vulnerability among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)—a population in which AIDS is the leading cause of death in the region. Learnings from this study in Kenya and similar ones in Zambia and Malawi will be valuable for informing each country and the region how to implement AGYW programming that goes beyond the health sector to reduce AGYW’s vulnerability to HIV.
Assessment Of Comprehensive Hiv-Risk Reduction Programming For Adolescent Girls And Young Women: Implementation Science Research In Zambia, Population Council
Assessment Of Comprehensive Hiv-Risk Reduction Programming For Adolescent Girls And Young Women: Implementation Science Research In Zambia, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
The Population Council is conducting implementation research to build needed evidence to inform decisionmaking around effective implementation of community-based, girl-centered interventions and to assess their effectiveness in reducing HIV vulnerability among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)—a population in which AIDS is the leading cause of death in the region. Learnings from this study in Zambia and similar ones in Kenya and Malawi will be valuable for informing each country and the region how to implement AGYW programming that goes beyond the health sector to reduce AGYW's vulnerability to HIV.
Evaluation Of The “One Community” Program In Malawi, Project Soar
Evaluation Of The “One Community” Program In Malawi, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
“One Community” is the United States Agency for International Development’s flagship community-based response to Malawi’s HIV epidemic. The primary objective of One Community is to support the government’s efforts to reduce new infections and to mitigate the impact of HIV among orphans and vulnerable children, out-of-school adolescent girls and young women, and other at-risk populations in eight districts in the southern region of Malawi. Project SOAR is conducting a rigorous evaluation of One Community in five of the eight program districts. The results from this evaluation will be used to inform Malawi’s support strategies for at-risk populations, improve the United …
Reducing Hiv Risk Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women, And Their Partners Through The Dreams Partnership In Malawi, Project Soar
Reducing Hiv Risk Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women, And Their Partners Through The Dreams Partnership In Malawi, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Project SOAR is conducting implementation science research in Malawi to build needed evidence to inform decisionmaking about effective programming to reduce HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and their male partners. Specifically, SOAR is: examining approaches to identify the most at-risk girls, particularly those out of school, and enroll and retain them in DREAMS programming; assessing HIV-risk and health-seeking behaviors before and after AGYW’s engagement in DREAMS interventions; exploring how to reach AGYW’s male sexual partners and increase their uptake of HIV services; and assessing facilitators and barriers to HIV service uptake by men living with HIV. …
Are We Meeting The Hiv Service Needs Of People Living In Informal Settlements In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa?, Project Soar
Are We Meeting The Hiv Service Needs Of People Living In Informal Settlements In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa?, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
This brief summarizes the characteristics and circumstances of approximately 1,500 men and women living in 18 informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The data come from a baseline survey conducted in mid-2017 as part of an evaluation of the PEPFAR/USAID-funded Asibonisane Community Responses program. Project SOAR/Population Council conducted the evaluation in partnership with the MatCH Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand. The findings presented here highlight the need for HIV treatment services to be more responsive to residents living with HIV in informal settlements. Furthermore, continued efforts are needed to reduce HIV risk and intimate partner violence among young …
Access To Reproductive Health And Hiv Services Among Young Mothers In Tanzania, Francis Obare, Annette Almeida, George Odwe, Jamilla Mwanga, Chi-Chi Undie, Maurice Hiza, Feddy Mwanga
Access To Reproductive Health And Hiv Services Among Young Mothers In Tanzania, Francis Obare, Annette Almeida, George Odwe, Jamilla Mwanga, Chi-Chi Undie, Maurice Hiza, Feddy Mwanga
Reproductive Health
This report presents findings from a Population Council study that examined the experiences of young mothers in Tanzania with accessing reproductive health and HIV services during pregnancy, delivery/pregnancy termination, and the postpartum period. The overall objective of the study was to generate evidence on access to reproductive health and HIV services among young mothers aged 12–19 years in Tanzania in order to inform programming and actions to better meet their needs. It specifically examined their experiences with accessing reproductive health (safe motherhood and contraception) and HIV (testing and counseling, PMTCT, antiretroviral therapy, and early infant diagnosis) services as well as …
Understanding Married Women's Vulnerability To Hiv Infection In Egypt: An Exploratory Study, Doaa Oraby, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab
Understanding Married Women's Vulnerability To Hiv Infection In Egypt: An Exploratory Study, Doaa Oraby, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab
Reproductive Health
This study examines the behavioral, sociocultural, economic, programmatic, and legal factors that aggravate Egyptian women’s vulnerabilities to HIV/AIDS. The study concludes that in low-prevalence settings like Egypt, targeted interventions are the most strategic and cost-effective: for example, HIV awareness-raising with a special focus on the preventive role of consistent, correct condom use, and creating a cadre of peers that could provide psychosocial support and HIV counseling to migrant workers. Furthermore, premarital and antenatal care programs should include HIV awareness-raising and provider-initiated counseling and testing after screening of women to identify those at risk for HIV infection. Concurrently, efforts should be …
Addressing Mental Health Disorders And Hiv Vulnerability Of Marginalized Adolescents In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nrupa Jani, Lung Vu, Sam Kalibala, Gebeyehu Mekonnen, Kay Lynn
Addressing Mental Health Disorders And Hiv Vulnerability Of Marginalized Adolescents In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nrupa Jani, Lung Vu, Sam Kalibala, Gebeyehu Mekonnen, Kay Lynn
HIV and AIDS
Ethiopia is experiencing an increasingly urban, female-centered HIV epidemic alongside a rise in rural migration of adolescents to Addis Ababa. Often these migrants are confronted by social challenges such as lack of education, inadequate housing, unstable employment conditions, and physical and sexual abuse. These difficult living circumstances contribute to psychological and mental health problems among these adolescents, potentially putting them at greater risk of acquiring HIV. However, knowledge about how targeted mental health interventions can impact HIV-related outcomes worldwide, and in Ethiopia, remains limited. The goal of this study was to pilot test a strategy for addressing mental health problems, …
Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Among Young People Living With Hiv In Uganda: Findings From The Link Up Baseline Survey, Population Council
Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Among Young People Living With Hiv In Uganda: Findings From The Link Up Baseline Survey, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
An estimated 3.7 percent of young people aged 15–24 years are living with HIV in Uganda, and face unique challenges in navigating a wide array of social, health, and developmental challenges as they transition to adulthood. Like all young people, those who live with HIV are starting to learn about their sexuality, often beginning to have intimate relationships or marry. In addition, they confront a myriad of complex issues associated with HIV status disclosure, initiation of and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and deeply entrenched HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Young women bear a disproportionate share of this burden. Compared with men …
Gender Considerations Along The Hiv Treatment Cascade: An Evidence Review With Priority Actions, Melanie Croce-Galis, Jill Gay, Karen Hardee, What Works Association, Population Council
Gender Considerations Along The Hiv Treatment Cascade: An Evidence Review With Priority Actions, Melanie Croce-Galis, Jill Gay, Karen Hardee, What Works Association, Population Council
Reproductive Health
This treatment brief provides policymakers and program implementers with evidence about the impact of gender dynamics on treatment access and adherence and the gender-related gaps in treatment research and programming. It also includes priority actions that can be taken to better address gender within treatment programming and raises questions for implementation science in order to achieve the global 90-90-90 goal. This brief draws from What Works for Women and Girls: Evidence for HIV Interventions and uses the WHO treatment cascade framework to identify and analyze major gender considerations in providing antiretroviral therapy to those living with HIV in low- and …
Retention Of Adolescents Living With Hiv In Care, Treatment, And Support Programs In Uganda, Livingstone Ssali, Sam Kalibala, Josephine Birungi, Aggrey Egessa, Jonathan Wangisi, Joanne Lyavala Okullu, Celestin Bakanda, Stephen Okoboi, Francis Obare
Retention Of Adolescents Living With Hiv In Care, Treatment, And Support Programs In Uganda, Livingstone Ssali, Sam Kalibala, Josephine Birungi, Aggrey Egessa, Jonathan Wangisi, Joanne Lyavala Okullu, Celestin Bakanda, Stephen Okoboi, Francis Obare
HIV and AIDS
Understanding the extent to which adolescents aged 10–19 years who are living with HIV are retained in HIV care, treatment, and support is important for informing the design of effective services for this population to better meet their needs across three main areas of HIV and AIDS programming: treatment; care and support; and prevention. Retention in HIV programs is, in turn, important for positive clinical outcomes including viral suppression and survival. In 2013–2014, The AIDS Support Organization and the Population Council undertook a study to generate evidence on factors associated with retention of adolescents in HIV and AIDS programs in …
Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Emergency Plan Progress (Meepp): End-Of-Project Evaluation, Sam Kalibala
Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Emergency Plan Progress (Meepp): End-Of-Project Evaluation, Sam Kalibala
HIV and AIDS
This report evaluates the scope of the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Emergency Plan Progress (MEEPP) and the lessons learned from the project in Uganda, which aims to improve availability and quality of PEPFAR data.