Data-Driven Strategies and Creative Approaches to Addressing HIV Get Results in South Sudan

January 21, 2020As the number of new HIV infectionsrises in South Sudan and the country struggles to provide high-quality health care during an ongoing civil war,IntraHealth International is partnering with the Ministry of Health and health workers to make better care available to more people.In 2018, only 24% of people living with HIV in South Sudan knew their status and only 16% of people living with HIV were on treatment,according to UNAIDS. The epidemic is concentrated among certain groups that face barriers to health care and higher risks of infection, especially female sex workers, orphans, and vulnerable children. To identify and reach these key populations, IntraHealth uses data-driven strategies and creative approaches, such as:Enhanced peer outreach, wherein individual sex workers connect other sex workers in their networks to HIV services.Risk network referral, which encourages people who live with HIV to refer their social contacts who may be at risk of contracting the disease for HIV testing and other services.Microplanning data for risk segmentation, where we use data to tailor peer education and outreach interventions for members of key populations.In 2019, IntraHealth projects improved access to HIV services and quality of care and strengthened systems for better data collection and decision-making. A few examples include: Health services for hard-to-reach sex workersWe reached 4,698 female sex workers and 3,183 priority populations with HIV ser...

Source: IntraHealth International - January 21, 2020 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: mnathe Tags: South Sudan HIV & AIDS Community Engagement Digital Health Human Resources Management Health in Conflict Social Services Source Type: news