Prevention and control of HIV / AIDS, STIs and TB

2003-2004

In 2003, UMCOR started a small pilot project for HIV/AIDS prevention in the mountainous province of Gegharkunik with funding from Norwegian Church Aid. In 2004, project activities in Gegharkunik province were expanded to include a larger number of beneficiaries. The goal of this initiative was to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB among rural communities by promoting behavioral changes and strengthening the primary health care system's management of STIs. The "Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB" project was implemented in 11 rural communities of Gegharkunik province, as well as in the town of Vardenis. Selection was based on needs assessment results. The project was implemented with the Ministry of Health and other state agencies such as the National Center for AIDS Prevention (NCAP), Medical-Scientific Center of Dermatology, STI and Cosmetology of RA, and the Central Office of National Tuberculosis involved in combating HIV/AIDS in Armenia, with whom UMCOR signed an MoU on collaboration. The project implementation was done with the professional assistance of three consultants on HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB issues.

The number of direct beneficiaries reached by the project was 8,648, which exceeds the initial number of target beneficiaries in the proposal (5,300 people). This included the following groups:

• 11 PHC providers were trained to provide VCT, STI and TBmanagement, as well as peer education on HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB and condom use. The knowledge and skills acquired during the training allowed them to provide preventative and clinical services to their communities and high-risk groups.


• 143 community health volunteers were trained to provide health education on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB and condom use. The army of trained health volunteers became a good source of health information dissemination. All health volunteers received brochures on HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB, as well as a stock of information materials for distribution.


• 7,087 community members received health information from community volunteers directly. In general, the project has significantly increased public awareness about HIV/AIDS, especially transmission and prevention. There has also been a slightly positive change towards people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as a tendency towards safer sexual behavior. One of the important achievements is that beneficiaries realized the danger of TB-HIV co-infection.


• 1,377 community members vulnerable to HIV utilized services including VCT, medical examinations and treatment of STIs. All services are provided free-of-charge by HIV-Mobile Medical Team (HIV-MMT) comprised of two doctors (gynecologist and laboratory specialist).


• In total, 427 women and 152 men applied with symptoms of STIs and received treatment during the project implementation. All patients were advised to notify all their partners and to invite them for a consultation during the next visit of the HIV-MMT. 180 patients made a control visit. All STI patients were advised to pass VCT, consider HIV voluntary testing and to use condoms. They were also informed that all these services are available through the project.


• 931 HIV voluntary counseling sessions and 217 tests were conducted with representatives of risk groups. Two cases were suspected, but not confirmed with HIV infection. These cases remain under control of the NCAP specialists.


• In total, 427 women and 152 men applied with symptoms of STIs and received treatment during the project implementation. All patients were advised to notify all their partners and to invite them for a consultation during the next visit of the HIV-MMT. 180 patients made a control visit. All STI patients were advised to pass VCT, consider HIV voluntary testing and to use condoms. They were also informed that all these services are available through the project.


• 30 FSWs (Female Sex Workers) were provided peer education, information materials and condoms by outreach workers.


• Information on condom use was disseminated to 6,552 community members. 5,638 condoms were distributed to HIV vulnerable groups' representatives.


• The following educational and informational materials were developed:

• Three manuals for peer educators (500 copies of each):
  1. "Prevention of HIV/AIDS" with attached set of four situational games.
  2. "Prevention of STIs"
  3. "Prevention of TB".


• Four types of information leaflets (5,000 copies of each):
  1. "How To Protect Yourself Against HIV/AIDS?"
  2. "Condoms. You Must Know About It."
  3. "Beware of STIs."
  4. "What you need to know about TB."


• Three posters (700 copies of each):
  1. "Remember about AIDS"
  2. "Go to doctor!"
  3. "Beware of TB"


• The Calendar 2005 devoted to the Prevention of HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (500 copies).