USAID HIV/AIDS E-Newsletter - November 2005
The Synergy Project, implemented by Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., published this E-Newsletter on behalf of USAID's Office of HIV/AIDS.
This E-Newsletter ended in 2005, but access past editions in the archive section.
The U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of HIV/AIDS is proud to be a partner in The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This e-newsletter is a regular update from USAID and its partners on programs that prevent and mitigate HIV/AIDS across the developing world.
We encourage you to circulate this publication to colleagues.
Table of Contents
- A. New Partner Spotlight
- B. News
- Targeted Evaluation Focuses on Peer Education Program
- Nutrition Activities Added to Care and Support Services in Malawi
- New Program Supports Sustainable HIV/AIDS Services in Rwanda
- Keeping Youth "Safe from Harm" in Zimbabwe
- C. Recent Events
- Indian Media Leaders Dialogue on HIV/AIDS
- Seminar Examines Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Strategy
- USAID Participates in Abstinence Education Evaluation Conference in Baltimore
- D. Publications
- Report Examines Infant Feeding Practices of PMTCT Clients
- New Self-Care Book for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Is Released
- New Document Discusses Exit Strategies in High-Prevalence Areas
- E. Online Resources
- The Synergy HIV/AIDS Resource Center Highlights What’s New
A. New Partner Spotlight
- HOPE worldwide
HOPE worldwide is a nonprofit, faith-based charity that provides education, medical services, and programs for disadvantaged children and the elderly in 75 countries. As part of the Emergency Plan through USAID, HOPE worldwide seeks to strengthen local HIV/AIDS prevention programs through supporting abstinence, faithfulness, and the reduction of harmful sexual behavior for youth and other groups. Community action teams include parents, teachers, and learners who develop local strategies to reinforce behavior change among the youth. The project aims to promote abstinence and behavior change among nearly 600,000 youth and parents in Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and will be carried out in schools, churches, youth groups, sports clubs, and other faith-based organizations.
B. News
- Targeted Evaluation Focuses on Peer Education Program
Population Council/Horizons Program has launched a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a program developed by Family Health International and the Kenya Girl Guides Association to train young girls as HIV/AIDS peer educators. The study will provide important information on ways to reach adolescents ages 10 to 15 with information and skills to prevent HIV, reduce stigma, and help orphans and vulnerable children.
- Nutrition Activities Added to Care and Support Services in Malawi
Family Health International/Malawi is launching a new nutrition and food security component for its home-based care services and its programs for orphans and vulnerable children. As famine caused by recent regional droughts spreads, these activities will provide nutrition training and support for creating kitchen and communal gardens.
- New Program Supports Sustainable HIV/AIDS Services in Rwanda
A consortium led by CHF International will carry out the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Program in Rwanda, a four-year $40 million cooperative agreement that will work to provide Rwandan communities with equitable access to high-quality and sustainable HIV/AIDS services. It will also improve and expand HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care services, including care and support for orphans and vulnerable children. Additionally, it will build and strengthen linkages and referral systems among Rwandan communities, community-based service providers, and public/private medical health service providers.
- Keeping Youth "Safe from Harm" in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, the first country to launch the “Delayed Debut” regional mass media campaign, has once again led the way by launching the interpersonal communication component of the campaign. Called "Safe from Harm," this campaign element uses religious leaders as program facilitators. The launch generated tremendous interest from faith-based groups, with more than 200 representatives in attendance.
C. Recent Events
- Indian Media Leaders Dialogue on HIV/AIDS
Influential media leaders from India's English and local language media came together on October 27 in New Delhi to accelerate the media response to HIV/AIDS in the country. Sponsored by USAID, the Indian Media Leaders HIV/AIDS Initiative was organized by Internews in collaboration with the UNAIDS Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS and the POLICY Project.
- Seminar Examines Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Strategy
Population Council, Family Health International, Management Sciences for Health, and Kenyan partners presented findings at an October 15 seminar in Nairobi from an assessment of the strategy to foster adherence to antiretroviral therapy known as directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART). Presentations focused on DAART’s feasibility, acceptability, cost, impact on adherence and clinical outcomes, and whether being on antiretroviral therapy affects sexual risk behavior.
- USAID Participates in Abstinence Education Evaluation Conference in Baltimore
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsored an abstinence education evaluation conference in Baltimore November 3 and 4. Participating on a panel, USAID discussed its commitment to a balanced approach to the “ABCs” of HIV prevention and continuing efforts to evaluate the impact of its programs. The conference also featured evaluations of national abstinence curricula and presentations on evaluating youth programs, the role of evaluation in policy, and current state and federal initiatives.
D. Publications
- Report Examines Infant Feeding Practices of PMTCT Clients [PDF, 373KB]
Infant feeding counseling is an important component of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCTC) programs. The Population Council/Horizons Program and partners have published baseline findings from operations research in Kenya to increase the uptake of PMTCT services. The summary provides information on client-provider interactions on infant feeding and the infant feeding practices of more than 1,800 HIV-positive women, HIV-negative women, and women of unknown HIV status.
- New Self-Care Book for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Is Released
Family Health International/Cambodia's new self-care book, You Are Special, aims to build confidence and teach skills to children living in families affected by HIV/AIDS. Designed specifically for children, the book uses illustrations, exercises, and pages designated for self-expression to help children understand the changes taking place in their families.
- New Document Discusses Exit Strategies in High-Prevalence Areas [PDF, 478KB]
The Consortium for Southern Africa Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE) has just released a guidance document titled What We Know About Exit Strategies: Practical Guidance for Developing Exit Strategies in the Field. The document focuses on exiting from Title II development relief programs and features a special section on “Exit Strategies in the Context of HIV/AIDS” based on C-SAFE’s experience of working in the high-prevalence context of southern Africa. The document is based on learning events held in Zambia and Zimbabwe in April 2005, as well as a literature review on exit strategies.
E. Online Resources
- The Synergy HIV/AIDS Resource Center Highlights What’s New
The Synergy HIV/AIDS Resource Center, implemented by Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., currently contains more than 3,800 documents on HIV/AIDS project management, research, and reproductive health issues, most of which are available for download. Users can refer to “What’s New in the Synergy Resource Center,” which provides links to new publications, or search the entire online database.
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