AEGiS-15IAC: Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Programming- The TASO (Uganda) Model.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Programming- The TASO (Uganda) Model.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10384)

Kambonesa I, Coutnho A, Nyombi J, Konde-Lule J
Makerere University Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda

ISSUES: The AIDS Support Organization training center was established to carry out in service capacity building for staff. Over time, this role has evolved to include capacity building for national and international organizations. Personnel trained are usually frontline employees of organizations. Training focuses on counseling PHAs, empowering them to live positively, prevent re- infection and spread of infection. Other trainings include TOT for community care in HIV/AIDS, youth peer education and counseling and AIDS community Orientation workshops.

DESCRIPTION: The characteristics of 948 participants who attended TASO training courses in year 2002 were reviewed. These included duration of the training, trainee's age, sex, educational, occupation, country of residence, organization they worked for and funding agency. Challenges of follow up of trainees and record keeping were documented.

LESSONS LEARNED: Majority of trainees were females and mainly TASO staff. Trainees were of varied professional and educational backgrounds enriching trainees' learning. Trainees were from national and international NGOs, faith based organizations, public and private sector, Universities, hospitals and other institutions of higher learning. This strengthened inter-agency collaboration and holistic approach to care. Majority of trainees were funded by organizations they worked for. Regional trainings improved access to rural Uganda and strengthened follow up.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The center should improve data collection and analysis for proper planning. There should be organizational strengthening for international training. Support systems including Monitoring and Evaluation should be strengthened as the training center undergoes expansion. Regional training function should be strengthened to address follow up and access. Gender balance should be advocated for.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Organizations, Uganda, Health Planning, Counseling, Infection, Financial Management, Research, United States, Humans, Female, economics, organization & administration, education

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