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Program Effects Of Dreams Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Zambia: Findings From Dreams Implementation Science Research, Population Council Dec 2020

Program Effects Of Dreams Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Zambia: Findings From Dreams Implementation Science Research, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

As part of the DREAMS Initiative, the Population Council is conducting implementation research in Zambia to build needed evidence to inform decision-making around effective implementation of community-based, girl-centred 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. This brief summarizes key findings from a prospective cohort study conducted with AGYW participating in DREAMS programming in an urban site in Lusaka and Ndola.


Project Soar Research Informs National Policy Change In Tanzania Expanding Access To Hiv Services For Marginalized Populations, Population Council Oct 2020

Project Soar Research Informs National Policy Change In Tanzania Expanding Access To Hiv Services For Marginalized Populations, Population Council

Research Utilization and Impact Briefs

A recent Project SOAR study evaluated community-based delivery of antiretroviral treatment to female sex workers (FSWs) in Tanzania, demonstrating the value of this approach to improve HIV care. Informed by these findings, the Government of Tanzania changed national guidance to allow for community-based HIV treatment to better meet the needs of marginalized populations, including FSWs.


A Case Study Of Ovc Case Management Through The Zambia Family (Zamfam) Project—Brief, Population Council Sep 2020

A Case Study Of Ovc Case Management Through The Zambia Family (Zamfam) Project—Brief, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

The ZAMFAM program aims to improve the care and resilience of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as well as young people living with HIV in Zambia by providing support and protection and by strengthening the capacity of children, families, and the community to better manage the socioeconomic shocks of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A case study approach was employed to understand actors and perceptions, and to document best practices by the program. This brief summarizes the case study findings. The ZAMFAM program utilized several approaches to improving the well-being of OVC. Services or referrals were provided to beneficiaries through home visitation …


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 Sep 2020

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.


A Case-Study Of Ovc Case Management Through The Zambia Family (Zamfam) Project, Lyson Phiri, Drosin Mulenga, Nancy Choka, Caila Brander, Nachela Chelwa, Nkomba Kayeyi Sep 2020

A Case-Study Of Ovc Case Management Through The Zambia Family (Zamfam) Project, Lyson Phiri, Drosin Mulenga, Nancy Choka, Caila Brander, Nachela Chelwa, Nkomba Kayeyi

HIV and AIDS

Zambia’s HIV prevalence is estimated at 11% among adults aged 15–49 years and 1% among children younger than 15 years. An estimated 10% of Zambia’s population is at high risk of being orphaned or vulnerable due to the HIV epidemic. The Zambia Family (ZAMFAM) project aims to improve the care and resilience of vulnerable populations while supporting HIV epidemic control. ZAMFAM used a case management approach that tracks beneficiaries from identification to graduation. The Population Council conducted a qualitative case study to understand actors and perceptions, and document best practices. Program beneficiaries viewed the ZAMFAM program as having made a …


Support Clubs For Children And Youth In Haiti Living With Hiv: A Case Study, Susan Settergren, Robert Philippe, Joanne St. Louis, Nathaniel Segaren, Sylvie Boisson, Tessa Lewis, Olbeg Désinor, Kesner François Aug 2020

Support Clubs For Children And Youth In Haiti Living With Hiv: A Case Study, Susan Settergren, Robert Philippe, Joanne St. Louis, Nathaniel Segaren, Sylvie Boisson, Tessa Lewis, Olbeg Désinor, Kesner François

HIV and AIDS

In Haiti, where an estimated 3,000 children and youth are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), Caris Foundation, with funding from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), provides hospital-linked psychosocial support groups, known as Kids Clubs, for young people ages nine and older. The clubs are intended to help ensure that HIV-positive children and adolescents stay in contact with health services, and serve as a conduit for delivery of other services, including health messages and health products. In 2019, Project SOAR conducted a study to describe the Kids Club …


Reducing Hiv Risk Among Young Women And Their Partners: Highlights From The Dreams Implementation Science Research Portfolio, Population Council Jun 2020

Reducing Hiv Risk Among Young Women And Their Partners: Highlights From The Dreams Implementation Science Research Portfolio, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development through Project SOAR, led a set of implementation science studies to capture multiple perspectives that reflect the innovative aspects of DREAMS. These mixed-method studies conducted across seven countries (Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia) provide critical evidence that fill knowledge gaps on how to reduce HIV risk among AGYW and their male partners. This brief presents key findings grouped around four areas of inquiry: 1) HIV vulnerability and risk; 2) social drivers of HIV risk; 3) effects of …


What Are Adolescent Girls' And Young Women's Pregnancy Experiences, Fertility Desires, And Hiv-Related Risk Behaviors? Findings From Dreams Implementation Science Research In Zambia, Population Council Jun 2020

What Are Adolescent Girls' And Young Women's Pregnancy Experiences, Fertility Desires, And Hiv-Related Risk Behaviors? Findings From Dreams Implementation Science Research In Zambia, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

As part of the DREAMS Initiative, the Population Council is conducting implementation research in Zambia to build needed evidence to inform decision-making around effective implementation of community-based, girl-centred 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. This results brief summarizes key findings from a cross-sectional survey of 1,915 AGYW, half of whom were 15–19 years old and the other half 20–24 years old, residing in urban districts of Lusaka and Ndola.


Evidence Around Engaging Men In Hiv Prevention And Treatment, Julie Pulerwitz, Ann Gottert, Jerry Okal, Sanyukta Mathur Apr 2020

Evidence Around Engaging Men In Hiv Prevention And Treatment, Julie Pulerwitz, Ann Gottert, Jerry Okal, Sanyukta Mathur

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Evidence To Support Hiv Prevention For Adolescent Girls And Young Women (Agyw) And Their Male Partners: Results From Malawi Dreams Studies With Agyw, Male Partners Of Agyw, Men Living With Hiv, And Program Implementing Partners, Nanlesta Pilgrim, Victor Mwapasa, Effie Chipeta, Wanangwa Chimwaza, Nrupa Jani, Tracy Mcclair, Lyson Tenthani, Sanyukta Mathur Feb 2020

Evidence To Support Hiv Prevention For Adolescent Girls And Young Women (Agyw) And Their Male Partners: Results From Malawi Dreams Studies With Agyw, Male Partners Of Agyw, Men Living With Hiv, And Program Implementing Partners, Nanlesta Pilgrim, Victor Mwapasa, Effie Chipeta, Wanangwa Chimwaza, Nrupa Jani, Tracy Mcclair, Lyson Tenthani, Sanyukta Mathur

HIV and AIDS

Project SOAR, led by the Population Council, in partnership with the Center of Reproductive Health at the University of Malawi College of Medicine, conducted a research portfolio to generate evidence to reduce HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and their male partners. The objectives of this implementation research were to generate evidence for describing HIV-related risk factors among AGYW; assess the extent to which the overall DREAMS project contributed toward the goal of reducing HIV risk among AGYW; and understand the characteristics of male partners and how to link them to HIV services, as well as retain …


Community-Based Hiv Treatment Service Delivery Model For Female Sex Workers In Tanzania: Evaluation Findings, Lung Vu, Waimar Tun, Louis Apicella, Jeremiah Kidola, Caterina Casalini, Gasper Mbita, Neema Makyao, Todd Koppenhaver, Erick Mlanga Feb 2020

Community-Based Hiv Treatment Service Delivery Model For Female Sex Workers In Tanzania: Evaluation Findings, Lung Vu, Waimar Tun, Louis Apicella, Jeremiah Kidola, Caterina Casalini, Gasper Mbita, Neema Makyao, Todd Koppenhaver, Erick Mlanga

HIV and AIDS

Project SOAR in collaboration with the National AIDS Control Program of the Government of Tanzania, National Institute of Medical Research, and Jhpiego’s Sauti Program, conducted an implementation science study to investigate the delivery of community-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) services to female sex workers (FSWs) in Tanzania. Studies from sub-Saharan Africa have shown improved HIV treatment outcomes, such as uptake of HIV services, retention in care, and increased dignity and quality of life, by using community-based delivery of HIV services. As detailed in this Project SOAR final report, the study assessed the effectiveness of the community-based ART delivery intervention in improving …


Strengthening Capacity For Assessment Of Hiv-Related Data Needs Among Key Populations To Inform Evidence-Based Responses, Amrita Rao, Nikita Viswasam, Stefan Baral Feb 2020

Strengthening Capacity For Assessment Of Hiv-Related Data Needs Among Key Populations To Inform Evidence-Based Responses, Amrita Rao, Nikita Viswasam, Stefan Baral

HIV and AIDS

Defining the HIV prevention and treatment needs of key populations who have disproportionate HIV acquisition and transmission risks has been particularly difficult in the context of generalized HIV epidemics where less attention has historically been placed on the HIV prevention and treatment needs of these groups. There is a gap in our understanding of the specific needs of—and ultimately the investment case for the added value of supporting—disproportionately burdened key populations in these settings. In response to this gap, Johns Hopkins University under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Project SOAR implemented a project in partnership with collaborators, …


Reducing Hiv Risk For Adolescent Girls And Young Women And Their Male Partners: Insights From The Dreams Partnership, Sanyukta Mathur Jan 2020

Reducing Hiv Risk For Adolescent Girls And Young Women And Their Male Partners: Insights From The Dreams Partnership, Sanyukta Mathur

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Reaching 90-90-90: Evidence From Project Soar To Strengthen The Hiv Response, Scott Geibel Jan 2020

Reaching 90-90-90: Evidence From Project Soar To Strengthen The Hiv Response, Scott Geibel

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Implementing And Scaling-Up Stepping Stones In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Lessons From Working In Informal Settlements, Cecilia Milford, M. Mtshali, Mags Beksinska, Julie Pulerwitz Jan 2019

Implementing And Scaling-Up Stepping Stones In Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Lessons From Working In Informal Settlements, Cecilia Milford, M. Mtshali, Mags Beksinska, Julie Pulerwitz

HIV and AIDS

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), a major epicenter of the South African HIV epidemic, has large informal settlements where thousands of people live. The settlements are often underserved by municipal services and lack accessible health care. Given high rates of HIV, there is a critical need to assess the successes and challenges of implementing HIV prevention and treatment in this context. Stepping Stones is a widely used life-skills training intervention focused on curbing gender-based violence and reducing HIV risk. The program addresses issues such as communication about HIV, relationship skills, and assertiveness. The manual-based curriculum encourages participants to engage in critical reflection through …


Índice De Estigma En Personas Viviendo Con Vih 2.0: Resultados Preliminares Para La República Dominicana, Project Soar Jan 2019

Índice De Estigma En Personas Viviendo Con Vih 2.0: Resultados Preliminares Para La República Dominicana, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

El estigma y la discriminación hacia las personas que viven con el VIH (PVVIH) contribuyen a la pobre calidad de servicios de salud, coerción y violencia, desempleo y exclusión de las reuniones sociales. Abordar el estigma que afecta a las PVVIH es una prioridad mundial, dado su impacto en la epidemia del VIH. En 2008, la Red mundial de personas que viven con el VIH, la Comunidad internacional de mujeres que viven con el VIH, la Federación Internacional de Planificación de la Familia y ONUSIDA lanzaron el Índice de Estigma para proveer evidencia sobre estigma y discriminación que sirva para …


Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor In-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar Jan 2019

Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor In-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Engaging Men For Effective Family Planning Through Couple Communication: An Assessment Of Two Mcsp Couple Communication Approaches In Togo, Natacha Stevanovic-Fenn, Bethany Arnold, Sanyukta Mathur, Catherine Tier, Anne Pfitzer, Rebecka Lundgren Jan 2019

Engaging Men For Effective Family Planning Through Couple Communication: An Assessment Of Two Mcsp Couple Communication Approaches In Togo, Natacha Stevanovic-Fenn, Bethany Arnold, Sanyukta Mathur, Catherine Tier, Anne Pfitzer, Rebecka Lundgren

Reproductive Health

On behalf of Breakthrough RESEARCH, the Institute for Reproductive Health of Georgetown University, in collaboration with the Population Council, assessed two of three couple's communication approaches for family planning being implemented by Maternal and Child Survival Program in Togo’s Kloto district: in home couple's counseling (either individual in home counseling or with the couple together) and group discussions. IRH’s overall goal was to assess the benefits and feasibility of these two approaches as well as to determine which elements of each are best suited for roll-out on a broader scale. The two models—home-based couple counseling and group discussions—were implemented in …


The People Living With Hiv Stigma Index: Dominican Republic, Red Dominicana De Personas Que Viven Con Vih/Sida, Alianza Solidaria Para La Lucha Contra El Vih Y Sida, Population Council Jan 2019

The People Living With Hiv Stigma Index: Dominican Republic, Red Dominicana De Personas Que Viven Con Vih/Sida, Alianza Solidaria Para La Lucha Contra El Vih Y Sida, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

The People Living with HIV Stigma Index, developed in 2008, is a survey instrument used to highlight stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV. Developed and administered by and for PLHIV, the Stigma Index is not merely a measurement tool, its implementation is intended to be an empowering experience for PLHIV. In 2016–17, the Population Council–led research consortium Project SOAR updated the Stigma Index to reflect changes in the global HIV response in the past decade. The new version (Stigma Index 2.0) now has an increased focus on PLHIV’s experiences accessing HIV services; using and adhering to antiretroviral services; mental health …


Associations Between Fgm/C And Hiv In Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, And Sierra Leone: A Limited Analysis Of Demographic And Health Survey Data, Yetunde A. Noah Pinheiro, Zhuzhi Moore, David Gathara Jan 2019

Associations Between Fgm/C And Hiv In Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, And Sierra Leone: A Limited Analysis Of Demographic And Health Survey Data, Yetunde A. Noah Pinheiro, Zhuzhi Moore, David Gathara

Reproductive Health

Studies investigating the association between male circumcision and HIV have demonstrated the protective effect of male circumcision. In some settings, FGM/C and male circumcision are considered “equivalent” procedures. This working paper presents findings of a study that investigates the effect of FGM/C on the likelihood of HIV infection for women in practicing communities in Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, and Sierra Leone.


The People Living With Hiv Stigma Index 2.0: Preliminary Results From The Dominican Republic, Project Soar Jan 2019

The People Living With Hiv Stigma Index 2.0: Preliminary Results From The Dominican Republic, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

Stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV (PLHIV) contributes to poor quality health care, coercion and violence, job loss, and exclusion from social gatherings. Addressing stigma affecting PLHIV is a global priority, given its impact on the HIV epidemic. In 2008, the Global Network of People Living with HIV, the International Community of Women Living with HIV, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and UNAIDS launched the People Living with HIV Stigma Index (Stigma Index) to provide evidence on stigma and discrimination that can be used to advocate for the rights of PLHIV. As of November 2017, more than 100,000 …


Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor Pre-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar Jan 2019

Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor Pre-Service Training: Facilitator Guide, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Reaching Key Populations With Community-Based Hiv Test And Start Services In Lagos And Benue States In Nigeria: Baseline Findings, Project Soar Jan 2019

Reaching Key Populations With Community-Based Hiv Test And Start Services In Lagos And Benue States In Nigeria: Baseline Findings, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

Key populations (KPs), such as men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), and people who inject drugs, remain disproportionately affected by HIV compared to the general population. In Nigeria, HIV prevalence declined among the general population from 2007–18. Among key populations from 2007–14, HIV also decreased among FSWs, but increased among MSM. Evidence-based strategies to sustain the decline among the general population and FSWs, and mitigate the increase among MSM, are needed. Nigeria has adopted the World Health Organization’s “test and start” (TnS) strategy, which recommends initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) by persons living with HIV as …


Women And Hiv: Understanding And Addressing Stigma—Evidence From The Population Council, Population Council Jan 2019

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: Youth Peer Mentor Guide, Project Soar Jan 2019

Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor Pre-Service Training: Youth Peer Mentor Guide, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Um Só Currículo: Actividades Para Uma Educação Integrada Em Sexualidade, Género, Hiv E Direitos Humanos, International Sexuality And Hiv Curriculum Working Group, Nicole Haberland, Deborah Rogow Jan 2019

Um Só Currículo: Actividades Para Uma Educação Integrada Em Sexualidade, Género, Hiv E Direitos Humanos, International Sexuality And Hiv Curriculum Working Group, Nicole Haberland, Deborah Rogow

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Education on sexuality and HIV can help adolescents develop the capacity for healthy, respectful relationships and protect themselves from unwanted and unsafe sex, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. A 2015 Population Council study found that sexuality and HIV education programs that address gender and power in intimate relationships are five times more likely to be effective than programs that do not. However, most curricula still do not address these issues. It’s All One Curriculum provides a rationale, content, and sample activities for placing gender and rights at the center of sexuality and HIV curricula—both as stand-alone modules and integrated …


Índice De Estigma En Personas Que Viven Con Vih: República Dominicana, Red Dominicana De Personas Que Viven Con Vih/Sida, Alianza Solidaria Para La Lucha Contra El Vih Y Sida, Population Council Jan 2019

Índice De Estigma En Personas Que Viven Con Vih: República Dominicana, Red Dominicana De Personas Que Viven Con Vih/Sida, Alianza Solidaria Para La Lucha Contra El Vih Y Sida, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

El Índice de Estigma de las personas que viven con el VIH, desarrollado en 2008, es una encuesta utilizada para identificar el estigma y la discriminación que enfrentan las PVVIH. Desarrollado y administrado por y para las PVVIH, el Índice de Estigma es más que un simple instrumento de medición, e espera que su ejecución empodere a PVVIH. En 2016-17, el consorcio de investigación liderado por el Population Council, el Proyecto SOAR, actualizó el Índice de Estigma a modo de reflejar los cambios en la respuesta mundial ante el VIH durante la última década. La nueva versión (Stigma Index 2.0) …


Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor In-Service Training: Youth Peer Mentor Guide, Project Soar Jan 2019

Youth Engaging For Success (Yes)—Youth Peer Mentor In-Service Training: Youth Peer Mentor Guide, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

No abstract provided.


Female Sex Workers Living With Hiv In Tanzania Have Both A Need For Contraception And A Desire To Have Children In The Future, Project Soar Jan 2018

Female Sex Workers Living With Hiv In Tanzania Have Both A Need For Contraception And A Desire To Have Children In The Future, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

HIV-positive women often have critical family planning (FP) needs in addition to HIV-related care, treatment, and prevention concerns. In sub-Saharan Africa, unintended pregnancy is common among HIV-positive women. At the same time, many women living with HIV want to have children some day, and there are various “safer conception” strategies available to help HIV-affected individuals and couples get pregnant while minimizing the risk of HIV transmission to seronegative partners and the baby. This brief describes the fertility-related needs and desires of female sex workers living with HIV in Tanzania, highlighting results indicating that health services should help women meet both …


Namibia Has A Strong Foundation For Implementing The Treat All Guidelines And Reaching The Unaids 90-90-90 Targets, Project Soar Jan 2018

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 …