MAHIPSO In Position To Make HIV Testing Popular in Greater Masaka

We want to benefit from the UNAIDS 95:95:95 Goal. We want to contribute to the number of people living with HIV who are aware of their status; diagnosed people on sustained treatment; and those on treatment to attain viral suppression. 

We target Key Populations as a demography with higher HIV burden that general population. According to recent studies categories of KPs accounted for 18% of new HIV infections in Uganda in a 2015/16 Survey.  In another study, another KP demography had 36% reporting regularly having unprotected anal sex, 38% selling sex, 54% having multiple steady partners, 64% having multiple casual partners, and 32% using some of intoxication and drugs. 

These are the social and economical factors around which HIV interventions must revolve for our beneficiaries to shift from being a sink from which HIV draws into the general population. With support from funders and other Districts, we shall be able to create enduring infrastructure which will translate as stigma and discrimination busters. We identified bias, stigma and discrimination against the Key Populations we serve as a major barrier to HIV Services access. 

We propose a unique approach with entails intimate immersion on one hand and driving demand for HIV Testing Services on the other in areas we serve. GMA is known for hotspots and we identified roadside towns with low cost housing, destination stops such as islands and urban centres and education institutions. We have what we call the first 12 in 12 weeks, where we go out to 12 venues conduct HIV Testing Services for 12 weeks and then use that as a model to roll out for the next 40 weeks. The first 12 venues: Masaka, Nnyendo, Bukomansimbi, Kalungu, Lyantonde, Kyazanga, Kalangala, Lukaya, Mukoko, Ssembabule, Kalisizo and  Kyabakuza. 

At the leadership level, we shall be involved with cultural, technical and political leaders. We shall ensure: leadership buy-in; safe space to conduct services for our beneficiaries; identify and train local focal persons in peer education and resilience on how to sustain rapport with leaders so that there is no interruption of HIV services including: Testing; PrEP, PEP, ARV-Adherence and care continuum, U=U best practices; IEC informing decisions for staying negative or for PrEP, PEP and ARV uptake; prophylactics for protection to break transmission cycle; nutrition support; housing and livelihood support. In this project, it is planned that much effort will be focused on increasing HIV testing and case identification among key population, promoting linkage to treatment for those with positive diagnosis and other package of interventions.