Novel Approaches in Tanzania Lead to HIV Services for Over 1.3 Million Clients

November 11, 2021More than 1.37 million clients have received high-quality voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services for HIV-prevention in Tanzania over the past five years through IntraHealth International’sTohara Plus project, one of the most successful projects of its kind.ToharaPlus pioneered novel approaches using human-centered design to reach more clients with VMMC services, which lower a man’s risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual sex by around 60%. Some of those approaches include:Strategically placed services.By engaging men where they work or spend a lot of time—such as barber shops, mines, fishing camps, agricultural plantations,motorcycle taxi stops, andcotton ginnery factories—the program reached more clients and addressed behavioral barriers that might have kept them from seeking out VMMC services. The program promotes one-on-one engagement between potential clients and community volunteer agents, popular opinion leaders, local leaders, peer networks, and satisfied VMMC clients.Partnerships with employers.Tohara Plus works with workplace leaders and communities to co-design VMMC programs. The program has partnered withfisherfolk, beach management units, small-scale miners, sugar plantation and ginneries owners, and boda boda (motorcycle taxi) driver associations.Mobile clinics.To reach remote areas of Tanzania, Tohara Plus deployed three mounted mobile clinic vans to expand“men-friendly” services for ...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Tanzania Tohara Plus HIV & AIDS Community Engagement Source Type: news