Conference abstract
Contribution of community volunteers in supporting HIV cascade in Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and caregivers
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(22).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.22.2353
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Community volunteers, HIV, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), caregivers
Oral presentation
Contribution of community volunteers in supporting HIV cascade in Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and caregivers
Godson Maro1,&, Vailet Mollel1, Anna Mahenge1, Aminiel Mongi1, Paschal Wilbroad2
1Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Headquarter (ELCT- HQ)-USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone Project, Tanzania, 2United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Tanzania - Health Office, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone project is a child-focused and family-centered project aiming to enhance the health, well-being, and protection of OVC and youth in high-HIV burden areas. Implemented under ELCT-HQ covering Arusha, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Singida, Tanga, Geita, Mara, and Mwanza; it provides comprehensive services to OVC, including escorted referrals for ART initiation, Enhanced ART Counselling, and HIV Viral Load tests; health insurance, economic strengthening, nutritional, psychosocial, and educational support. These aim to achieve UNAID 95-95-95 targets and improve clinical outcomes for OVC and caregivers affected by HIV.
Methods: the project trains community volunteers in case management, aligning them with the National Integrated Case Management System to deliver comprehensive health and social welfare services to OVC and caregivers at the household level. Volunteers, coordinated by ward-level NICMS coordinators and project staff, conduct household visits to provide services directly or through referral. They collaborate with health facilities to ensure continuity of care and improved clinical outcomes.
Results: during FY23 (October 2022 – September 2023), 43,191 OVC and caregivers were reached with case management services. Among them, 9,625 (22%) were on ART. Of these, 8,372 (87%) were eligible for viral load testing, 8,058 (96%) had documented results, and 7,665 (95%) were virally suppressed. 8,444 (98%) showed good adherence to ART.
Conclusion: USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone project learned that Community Volunteers are crucial for achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS goal, especially for HIV-affected OVC. Their collaboration with households, health facilities, and communities highlights the need for ongoing capacity building and recognition of their contribution.
Contribution of community volunteers in supporting HIV cascade in Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and caregivers
Godson Maro1,&, Vailet Mollel1, Anna Mahenge1, Aminiel Mongi1, Paschal Wilbroad2
1Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania Headquarter (ELCT- HQ)-USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone Project, Tanzania, 2United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Tanzania - Health Office, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone project is a child-focused and family-centered project aiming to enhance the health, well-being, and protection of OVC and youth in high-HIV burden areas. Implemented under ELCT-HQ covering Arusha, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Singida, Tanga, Geita, Mara, and Mwanza; it provides comprehensive services to OVC, including escorted referrals for ART initiation, Enhanced ART Counselling, and HIV Viral Load tests; health insurance, economic strengthening, nutritional, psychosocial, and educational support. These aim to achieve UNAID 95-95-95 targets and improve clinical outcomes for OVC and caregivers affected by HIV.
Methods: the project trains community volunteers in case management, aligning them with the National Integrated Case Management System to deliver comprehensive health and social welfare services to OVC and caregivers at the household level. Volunteers, coordinated by ward-level NICMS coordinators and project staff, conduct household visits to provide services directly or through referral. They collaborate with health facilities to ensure continuity of care and improved clinical outcomes.
Results: during FY23 (October 2022 – September 2023), 43,191 OVC and caregivers were reached with case management services. Among them, 9,625 (22%) were on ART. Of these, 8,372 (87%) were eligible for viral load testing, 8,058 (96%) had documented results, and 7,665 (95%) were virally suppressed. 8,444 (98%) showed good adherence to ART.
Conclusion: USAID Kizazi Hodari Northeastern Zone project learned that Community Volunteers are crucial for achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS goal, especially for HIV-affected OVC. Their collaboration with households, health facilities, and communities highlights the need for ongoing capacity building and recognition of their contribution.
