AEGiS-14IAC: Mobilizing community resources in combating AIDS in Ghana: lessons for national policy.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Mobilizing community resources in combating AIDS in Ghana: lessons for national policy.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. LbPp2205)

Balhara S, Apoya P, Theophillus A
Community Partnerships For Health And Development, Tamale, Ghana

ISSUES: With increasing interest among policy makers towards Mutual Health Organizations (MHOs), there has been an exponential growth in the literature analyzing different aspects of MHOs. However, there remains little or no evidence base linking MHOs to HIV/ AIDS control. This paper assesses performance of MHOs in terms of AIDS high-risk groups inclusion, AIDS prevention and Financial protection for treatment. We also draw policy lessons from Ghana experience for international community.

DESCRIPTION: The study was conducted concurrently with our consultation work on MHOs for USAID and DANIDA. Over a six-month period 12/2001 to 05/2002, we covered 40 MHOs, representing 90% of all MHOs in Ghana.

ISSUES: (i)AIDS High-Risk Groups Inclusion: We analyze the age-distribution among MHOs members, and report an inverse relationship of MHO membership with AIDS risk. MHOs members are either older (>40) or younger (<20) than people most vulnerable to AIDS (median age = 32). Now, as MHOs increasingly target youth, their effectiveness in AIDS control is growing. (ii)AIDS Prevention: Several MHOs(32%) protect members against STDs, thus preventing spread of AIDS. CDC reports that individuals with STDs are 2 to 5 times more likely to acquire HIV if exposed to virus. [Wasserhelt JN, 1992]. MHOs have also initiated activities like HIV counseling (42%), condom distribution (5%), Posters (4%). and Dramas (12%). (iii)Financial Protection: All MHOs provide protection against Opportunistic infections and several engage in community counseling to address social needs of PLWA.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The national policy to support MHOs should focus on (a)Creating an enabling environment to support MHOs (b)Strengthening capacity of MHOs to provide HIV counseling (c)Leveraging MHOs to distribute condoms and awareness materials (d)Monitoring and Disseminating experiences of MHOs in dealing with AIDS (e)Incentivizing MHOs to include STDs in benefits package.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Health Resources, Public Policy, Federal Government, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.), Ghana, Rehabilitation

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