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Arv-Based Hiv Prevention For Women: State Of The Science And Considerations For Implementation In Zimbabwe. Report From A Provider Workshop, Population Council Jan 2015

Arv-Based Hiv Prevention For Women: State Of The Science And Considerations For Implementation In Zimbabwe. Report From A Provider Workshop, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

This report provides an overview of the presentations and discussions emerging from a Provider Workshop on ARV-Based HIV Prevention for Women: State of the Science and Considerations for Implementation in Zimbabwe convened by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Population Council in Harare in May 2014. The workshop in Zimbabwe is part of a broader global process to begin paving the path for microbicides introduction while awaiting the results of the ongoing confirmatory trial (FACTS 001) of tenofovir gel in South Africa. USAID is spearheading a global effort toward a “Shared Vision and Strategic Plan for Microbicide …


An Evaluation Of Population Services Zimbabwe’S Mobile Outreach Model, Ravikanthi Rapiti, Saiqa Mullick Jan 2014

An Evaluation Of Population Services Zimbabwe’S Mobile Outreach Model, Ravikanthi Rapiti, Saiqa Mullick

Reproductive Health

This report documents a service evaluation of Population Services Zimbabwe’s (PSZ) mobile outreach program in four provinces of Zimbabwe. The evaluation was conducted by the Population Council between September and October 2013. It provides key findings on the quality of the PSZ outreach program in expanding choice and access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and permanent methods (PMs) of contraception, as well as recommendations for PSZ and other family planning programs to consider in scaling up and strengthening mobile outreach services. The evaluation, conducted by the Population Council, was designed to focus on various components of quality including adequate information …


An Overview Of The Hiv Prevention Landscape In Zimbabwe: Implications For Tenofovir Gel, Population Council Jan 2014

An Overview Of The Hiv Prevention Landscape In Zimbabwe: Implications For Tenofovir Gel, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Zimbabwe has seen a tremendous shift in the HIV landscape in the last decade, particularly regarding prevalence. Yet many people, especially women, are still at high risk and efforts to identify and implement additional HIV-prevention options remain critical. Topical microbicides are a promising new technology that women can control or initiate, with a number of products tested in clinical trials over the past two decades. As research moves forward, decision-makers and other stakeholders need key background information to inform strategic decision-making regarding introduction of tenofovir gel and other new HIV-prevention products. The Population Council has designed a toolkit to assist …


Setting The Stage For Arv-Based Prevention For Women: A Snapshot Of The Zimbabwean Context, Population Council Jan 2014

Setting The Stage For Arv-Based Prevention For Women: A Snapshot Of The Zimbabwean Context, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Zimbabwe, with an estimated population of 12.7 million people, is among the countries in sub-Saharan Africa most affected by the HIV epidemic. Given the urgent need for HIV-prevention options for women, a number of projects are underway to prepare for introduction of tenofovir gel should it be shown to be effective. One of these is a toolkit developed by the Population Council to assist policymakers and program managers in identifying the most strategic opportunities for introducing tenofovir gel. The toolkit includes three related components: a landscape analysis, a discussion guide for key opinion leader interviews, and a program planning tool. …


Policy And Programme Considerations For Arv-Based Prevention For Women: Insights From Key Opinion Leaders In Zimbabwe About Tenofovir Gel, Samukeliso Dube, Barbara Friedland, Saiqa Mullick, Martha Brady, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory Jan 2014

Policy And Programme Considerations For Arv-Based Prevention For Women: Insights From Key Opinion Leaders In Zimbabwe About Tenofovir Gel, Samukeliso Dube, Barbara Friedland, Saiqa Mullick, Martha Brady, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory

HIV and AIDS

Zimbabwe has seen a tremendous shift in the HIV landscape in the last decade, particularly regarding prevalence. Yet many people, especially women, are still at high risk and efforts to identify and implement additional HIV-prevention options remain critical. After nearly 20 years of microbicides research, 1 percent tenofovir gel is the first vaginal microbicide to show promise. Since 2011, Zimbabwe has been scaling up use of tenofovir-based regimens as first-line therapy for adults infected with HIV. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial demonstrated that women assigned to use 1 percent tenofovir gel had a 39 percent lower risk of HIV infection …


Comprehensive Responses To Gender-Based Violence In Low-Resource Settings: Lessons Learned From Implementation, Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew Jan 2010

Comprehensive Responses To Gender-Based Violence In Low-Resource Settings: Lessons Learned From Implementation, Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew

Reproductive Health

The Population Council undertook a program of technical assistance and research to strengthen the evidence base on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) programming in sub-Saharan Africa. This project created an active network of implementers and researchers across sub-Saharan Africa, all of whom were charged with developing, implementing, and evaluating core elements of a comprehensive, multisectoral model for strengthening responses for survivors of SGBV, especially survivors of sexual violence. Based on the experiences of these partners, this document reviews the findings, lessons learned, and promising practices in the provision of comprehensive SGBV services in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings are intended to …


Looking Back, Moving Forward: Promoting Gender Equity To Fight Hiv, Horizons Studies 1999 To 2007, Julie Pulerwitz, Annie P. Michaelis, Ellen Weiss Jan 2010

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Promoting Gender Equity To Fight Hiv, Horizons Studies 1999 To 2007, Julie Pulerwitz, Annie P. Michaelis, Ellen Weiss

HIV and AIDS

In 1997, the Population Council initiated the Horizons Program—a decade-long USAID-funded collaboration with the International Center for Research on Women, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, PATH, Tulane University, Family Health International, and Johns Hopkins University—designing, implementing, evaluating, and expanding innovative strategies for HIV prevention and care. Horizons developed and tested ways to optimize HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; worked to reduce stigma and improve gender-biased behaviors; and greatly expanded knowledge about the best ways to support, protect, and treat children affected by HIV and AIDS. In all its projects, Horizons strengthened the capacity of local institutions by providing support and …


The Adolescent Experience In-Depth: Using Data To Identify And Reach The Most Vulnerable Young People—Zimbabwe 2005/06, Population Council Jan 2009

The Adolescent Experience In-Depth: Using Data To Identify And Reach The Most Vulnerable Young People—Zimbabwe 2005/06, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

“The Adolescent Experience In-Depth: Using Data to Identify and Reach the Most Vulnerable Young People: Zimbabwe 2005/06” is part of a series of Population Council guides that draw principally on data from the Demographic and Health Surveys to provide decisionmakers at all levels—from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and advocacy groups—with evidence on the situation of adolescent girls and boys and young women aged 10–24 years. The data are presented in graphs, tables, and maps (wherever possible), providing multiple formats to make the information accessible to a range of audiences. Section I is the Foreword. Section II offers brief technical notes specific …


Orphans And Vulnerable Youth In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study Of Psychosocial Well-Being And Psychosocial Support, Laelia Gilborn, Louis Apicella, Jonathan Brakarsh, Linda Dube, Kyle Jemison, Mark Kluckow, Tricia Smith, Leslie M. Snider Jan 2006

Orphans And Vulnerable Youth In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study Of Psychosocial Well-Being And Psychosocial Support, Laelia Gilborn, Louis Apicella, Jonathan Brakarsh, Linda Dube, Kyle Jemison, Mark Kluckow, Tricia Smith, Leslie M. Snider

HIV and AIDS

This Population Council Horizons report presents findings from an exploratory study by the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative and Catholic Relief Services’ Support to Replicable, Innovative Village/Community-level Efforts Program of vulnerable youth living in and around Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It describes their demographic characteristics, exposure to stress and trauma, and psychosocial well-being. The report also highlights the relationships between psychosocial well-being outcomes and exposure to stress and trauma, and the differences in psychosocial well-being between males and females, orphaned and nonorphaned youth, and younger and older adolescents. The report concludes with program and research implications.


Condom Use And Abstinence Among Unmarried Young People In Zimbabwe: Which Strategy, Whose Agenda?, Ravai Marindo, Steve Pearson, John B. Casterline Jan 2003

Condom Use And Abstinence Among Unmarried Young People In Zimbabwe: Which Strategy, Whose Agenda?, Ravai Marindo, Steve Pearson, John B. Casterline

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This paper compares the views about abstinence and condom use expressed by young people in Zimbabwe in focus-group discussions with the views underlying national policies and religious and traditional beliefs. Young people’s decisions to adopt one or the other of these risk-reduction strategies may not necessarily indicate genuine individual choices, but rather their deference to adults’ interests as they understand those interests. Policymakers and traditional and Christian leaders promote abstinence as the exclusive strategy for all young people, whereas nongovernmental organizations and the private sector promote condom use. Evidence from the focus-group discussions indicates that adolescents are aware of this …


Microfinance And Households Coping With Hiv/Aids In Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study, Carolyn Barnes, Erica Keogh, Nontokozo Nemarundwe, Loveness Nyikahadzoi, Ellen Weiss Jan 2003

Microfinance And Households Coping With Hiv/Aids In Zimbabwe: An Exploratory Study, Carolyn Barnes, Erica Keogh, Nontokozo Nemarundwe, Loveness Nyikahadzoi, Ellen Weiss

HIV and AIDS

This study, conducted in Zimbabwe, sought to better understand the relationship between a microfinance program, Zambuko Trust, and how microentrepreneurs’ households cope with the impact of HIV/AIDS. The study examined how HIV/AIDS is affecting Zambuko’s operations and what microfinance institutions (MFIs) can do to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS on their clients and operations. The findings indicate several small yet important ways that MFI programs help microentrepreneurs and their families respond to these impacts through access to credit and business management training. Participation in a microfinance program led to income smoothing and better financial management, which can help households mitigate …


Zimbabwe: Cbd Roles Modified To Address Zimbabwe's Hiv/Aids Crisis, Frontiers In Reproductive Health Jan 2002

Zimbabwe: Cbd Roles Modified To Address Zimbabwe's Hiv/Aids Crisis, Frontiers In Reproductive Health

Reproductive Health

In September 1999, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and the Population Council initiated a one-year study to assess the performance of ZNFPC’s community-based distribution (CBD) program. A continual decline in the program’s productivity, combined with the expanding HIV/AIDS epidemic, indicated a need to reconsider ZNFPC’s objectives and revise the roles and responsibilities of its full-time, salaried CBD agents. The study examined the productivity, costs, and potential sustainability of the CBD program. Researchers gathered information by reviewing program documents through 1999. They also interviewed program managers, district and community nurses, and community leaders and CBD agents from eight regions. …


An Assessment Of The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council's Community Based Distribution Programme, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Ronika Nyakauru, Barbara Janowitz Jan 2001

An Assessment Of The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council's Community Based Distribution Programme, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Ronika Nyakauru, Barbara Janowitz

Reproductive Health

Since its inception, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council’s (ZNFPC) community-based distribution (CBD) program has made significant and well-documented contributions to the demand for and use of family planning in Zimbabwe. Data from several studies have shown, however, a steady decline in this contribution and that the CBD agents spend more time resupplying existing clients than recruiting new acceptors. Moreover, the CBD program urgently needs to be able to address the AIDS crisis in the country. ZNFPC has undertaken this review to guide it in making appropriate decisions about the future direction of the program, allowing CBDs to have a …


Assessing The Potential Demand For And Effectiveness Of Integrating Sti/Hiv Management Services With Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council's Clinic-Based Family Planning Services, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Hazel M.B. Dube, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Sithokozille Simba, Ahmed Latif Jan 1999

Assessing The Potential Demand For And Effectiveness Of Integrating Sti/Hiv Management Services With Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council's Clinic-Based Family Planning Services, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Hazel M.B. Dube, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Sithokozille Simba, Ahmed Latif

Reproductive Health

HIV/AIDS is a threat to individual lives and the national economies of many sub-Saharan African countries, despite efforts to contain its spread. The region also suffers from high levels of other reproductive tract infections (RTIs), some of which increase the risk of sexual transmission of HIV. The control of RTIs is therefore seen not only as an important reproductive health care strategy, but as a key strategy in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Most national health care programs in the region are actively seeking cost-effective ways of implementing an RTI management program that would reduce and prevent RTIs and HIV. …


Zimbabwe: Los Métodos De Detección De Itr En Mujeres No Son Cost-Efectivos, Population Council Jan 1999

Zimbabwe: Los Métodos De Detección De Itr En Mujeres No Son Cost-Efectivos, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Las infecciones del tracto reproductivo (ITR) son frecuentes en Zimbabwe. Muchas de estas infecciones aumentan el riesgo de contraer el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). En 1998, el Consejo Nacional de Planificación Familiar de Zimbabwe (en inglés, ZNFPC) realizó un estudio de IO para evaluar la viabilidad de integrar el diagnóstico y tratamiento de ITR en su oferta de servicios. La población estudiada estaba constituida por 1,634 clientas de tres clínicas de ZNFPC. Se preguntó a las usuarias si presentaban dolor en la región abdominal inferior, flujo vaginal y otros síntomas de ITR; asimismo, se les examinó para detectar la …


Zimbabwe: Les Méthodes De Dépistage Des Iar Chez Les Femmes Sont Chères Et Inefficaces, Population Council Jan 1999

Zimbabwe: Les Méthodes De Dépistage Des Iar Chez Les Femmes Sont Chères Et Inefficaces, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Les Infections de l’Appareil Reproductif (IAR) sont courantes au Zimbabwe. Beaucoup d’IAR augmentent le risque d’infection au Virus de l’Immunodéficience Humaine. En 1998, le Conseil National de Planification Familiale du Zimbabwe (ZNFPC) a entrepris une recherche opérationnelle afin d’évaluer la faisabilité de l’intégration du diagnostic des IAR et des services de traitement dans son menu de services. La population étudiée consistait en 1634 clientes de trois cliniques du ZNFPC. Chaque cliente a été interrogée sur les douleurs au bas ventre, les pertes vaginales et autres symptômes d’IAR. Elles ont ensuite été examinées pour des signes cliniques d’IAR, et ont subi …


Zimbabwe: Rti Screening Methods For Women Are Not Cost-Effective, Population Council Jan 1999

Zimbabwe: Rti Screening Methods For Women Are Not Cost-Effective, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are common in Zimbabwe. Many RTIs increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In 1998, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) conducted an operations research study to assess the feasibility of adding RTI diagnosis and treatment to its menu of services. The study population consisted of 1,634 clients at three ZNFPC clinics. Each client was asked about lower abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, and other RTI symptoms; examined for clinical signs of RTIs; and given laboratory tests to confirm the accuracy of diagnosis based upon symptoms and signs. Findings detailed in this brief were …


The Female Condom In Zimbabwe: The Interplay Of Research, Advocacy, And Government Action, Population Council Jan 1999

The Female Condom In Zimbabwe: The Interplay Of Research, Advocacy, And Government Action, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

During the past decade, a significant increase in reported cases of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe prompted the government, local organizations, and international donors to intensify prevention efforts. As part of this response, in November 1996 Zimbabwe’s National AIDS Coordinating Programme invited Population Services International to launch a social marketing program to promote the female condom, making this protective device widely available for the first time in Africa. After an acceptability study showed that Zimbabwean men and women liked using the female condom, leaders of these organizations encouraged public discussion and media attention, which helped pave the way to approval and introduction …


The Costs Of Integrating Reproductive Health Services: An Example Using Syndromic Management Of Stis In Family Planning Clinics In Zimbabwe, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Barbara Janowitz, Laura Johnson, Andrew Thompson, Caroline West Jan 1999

The Costs Of Integrating Reproductive Health Services: An Example Using Syndromic Management Of Stis In Family Planning Clinics In Zimbabwe, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Barbara Janowitz, Laura Johnson, Andrew Thompson, Caroline West

Reproductive Health

Estimates from the United Nations Population Fund indicate that the costs of family planning (FP) and other reproductive health (RH) services are increasing and that it will be difficult for donors and countries to meet these costs. Many institutions delivering RH services operate significantly below their physical capacity to see clients, and much of the equipment required for expanding RH services may already be available for use. The marginal costs of adding infrastructure could be low. Many institutions have staff that are not fully occupied, and thus the staff necessary to expand RH services may also be in place. In …


Demand For And Cost-Effectiveness Of Integrating Rti/Hiv Services With Clinic-Based Family Planning Services In Zimbabwe, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Sithokozille Simba, Hazel M.B. Dube, Rick Homan, Barbara Janowitz, Ahmed Latif, Peter R. Mason Jan 1999

Demand For And Cost-Effectiveness Of Integrating Rti/Hiv Services With Clinic-Based Family Planning Services In Zimbabwe, Baker Ndugga Maggwa, Ian Askew, Caroline S. Marangwanda, Sithokozille Simba, Hazel M.B. Dube, Rick Homan, Barbara Janowitz, Ahmed Latif, Peter R. Mason

Reproductive Health

The current spread of HIV/AIDS poses a major threat to individual lives and national economies in many sub-Saharan African countries. The region also has some of the highest levels of other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) in the world. Some of these RTIs increase the risk of sexual transmission of HIV infection. Thus, the control of RTIs is seen not only as an important reproductive health care strategy to alleviate symptoms of infection and long-term gynecological, obstetric, and neonatal complications, but also as a key strategy in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. As a result, all national health care programs in …


Integrating Sti And Mch/Fp Services, Population Council Jan 1999

Integrating Sti And Mch/Fp Services, Population Council

Reproductive Health

The integration of STI and HIV/AIDS information and services into existing MCH/FP programs has been strongly supported in recent years, following recommendations from the 1994 Cairo ICPD. Moreover, it is now widely accepted that early detection and management of STIs can reduce the incidence of HIV infection. Thus, there are powerful incentives to increase efforts to broaden the capacity of MCH/FP programs to provide STI prevention and management information and services for their clients, both as a comprehensive reproductive health service and as a preventive measure for reducing the transmission of HIV. As described in this brief, the Africa OR/TA …


Strengthening The Evaluation And Research Unit Of The Zimbabwe Family Planning Council (1995–1998), Lewis Ndhlovu, Hazel M.B. Dube, Caroline S. Marangwanda Jan 1999

Strengthening The Evaluation And Research Unit Of The Zimbabwe Family Planning Council (1995–1998), Lewis Ndhlovu, Hazel M.B. Dube, Caroline S. Marangwanda

Reproductive Health

The Evaluation and Research Unit (ERU) plays a crucial role in supporting the research activities of the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC). Research activities are conducted in addition to analysis of service statistics and compilation of quarterly and annual reports. With a staff capacity of five and inadequate research skills existing in other units, the ERU finds it difficult to manage and monitor the diverse activities of the organization. To address these problems, a buy-in was signed between the Zimbabwe Government and USAID in May 1995. The objectives were to assist the ZNFPC in conducting operations research studies and …


An Assessment Of The Zimbabwe Family Planning Programme: Results From The 1996 Situation Analysis Study, Lewis Ndhlovu, Hazel M.B. Dube, Caroline S. Marangwanda Jan 1998

An Assessment Of The Zimbabwe Family Planning Programme: Results From The 1996 Situation Analysis Study, Lewis Ndhlovu, Hazel M.B. Dube, Caroline S. Marangwanda

Reproductive Health

Within the past ten years, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has conducted two major studies for assessing the availability and quality of reproductive health services. The two studies, generally referred to as Situation Analysis studies, were conducted in 1991 and 1996. The 1996 survey collected data from 192 health facilities spread throughout Zimbabwe. During this exercise, an inventory of physical facilities, equipment, and educational materials was taken. In addition, 758 provider–client interactions of new and revisit clients were observed. Exit interviews were conducted with service providers, and with family planning and maternal and child health clients. In this …


Community-Based Aids Prevention And Care In Africa—Dissemination Of Phase I Findings: Report Of Five National Workshops, Population Council Jan 1995

Community-Based Aids Prevention And Care In Africa—Dissemination Of Phase I Findings: Report Of Five National Workshops, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Given the constraints faced by the health care infrastructure in responding to the AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, and the limitations of traditional educational approaches in motivating people to modify their sexual behavior within the African context, community-based efforts at AIDS prevention, and care of those affected, are the first lines of defense against the disease. Thus, they deserve greater scrutiny, to learn from the experiences and to continue and expand their efforts. The “Community-Based AIDS Prevention and Care in Africa: Building on Local Initiatives” project is being carried out by the Population Council with support from Glaxo Wellcome. The …


Community-Based Aids Prevention And Care In Africa: Case Studies From Five African Countries, Ann Leonard Jan 1994

Community-Based Aids Prevention And Care In Africa: Case Studies From Five African Countries, Ann Leonard

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council carried out a three-year project entitled “Community-Based AIDS Prevention and Care in Africa: Building on Local Initiatives.” Given the constraints faced by the health care infrastructure in responding to the AIDS crisis and the limitations of traditional educational approaches in motivating people to modify their sexual behavior, in the African context community-based AIDS prevention and care of those affected are the first line of defense against the infection. This project was developed to explore efforts by organizations in Africa dealing directly with the consequences of AIDS, to understand the essential components of effective community-based efforts for AIDS …