MULU Prevention Program for Most At-risk Populations (MULU Prevention)

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Date of Operation: 2012-2017

Primary Implementing Partner: World Learning and Population Services International (PSI)

Other Implementing Partner(s): EngenderHealth, Ethiopian Public Health Association, Handicap International

Regions of Operation: Addis Ababa, Afar, Amhara, Dire Dawa, Gambella, Harari, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray

Goal:

Contribute to the national target of reducing new HIV infections by 50% by 2014

Objectives:

  • Prevent new HIV infections by reducing behavioral risk factors among most-at-risk populations (MARPs) and other highly vulnerable populations
  • Strengthen community level systems and structures to support combination prevention
  • Increase the capacity of GoE to lead HIV prevention interventions that are based on the local epidemiology of new infections
  • Forecast the need for and strengthen HIV prevention endeavors in selected large-scale workplaces

Description:

When translated from Amharic, “MULU” means “complete” indicating that MULU Prevention encompasses broad prevention efforts. The project reduces the number of new HIV infections in Ethiopia by reducing risks and vulnerability to the infection, through a process lead by Government of Ethiopia (GoE), and the on-going collection and utilization of evidence. The main intervention strategies and focuses of these programs are guided by the epidemiological portfolio of the country. This five-year project has several components implemented at various levels including community, government, social networks and service provision facilities.

Under MULU Prevention, one primary implementing partner covers prevention for workplace interventions, and a second implementing partner covers interventions for MARPs and other highly vulnerable populations in non-workplace contexts. MULU Prevention works primarily in development zones including large scale farming, construction, mining and investment corridors.

Expected Results:

  • Change HIV preventive behaviors to reduce risk of infection among MARPs
  • Strengthen community level systems and structures to support combination prevention
  • Increase the capacity of GoE Federal and Regional systems in partnership with civil society and private sectors to lead comprehensive HIV prevention
  • Strengthen workplace HIV prevention policies and activities to support behavior change among employees and provide HIV and reproductive health services