AEGiS-15IAC: Home-based care services: An entry point for community HIV intervention activities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Home-based care services: An entry point for community HIV intervention activities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. TuOrD1116)

Gebreselassie G, Kereta W, Livi N, Girma A, Berhan K, Stuer F
Family Health International, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ISSUES: Family Health International is providing technical assistance to strengthen home-based care (HBC) services in Addis Ababa. Existing HBC services were assessed in terms of adequacy, constraints and quality of care. After consultative program design, an umbrella organization was selected from the HBC implementing organizations and capacity of this organization was developed. Subsequently, this umbrella organization was used to sensitize and mobilize selected community-based organizations (idirs), so that they could implement HBC and other related support services.

DESCRIPTION: Sensitization on HBC and OVC care and support was provided to over 1500 idirs in Addis Ababa. Strong support and involvement was obtained from the Addis Ababa Health Bureau and Regional HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office to link HBC services with other components of the comprehensive care and support package. Training was provided to trainers recruited under the umbrella organization. An initial 20 idirs were selected to implement HBC, each recruited an HBC committee to supervise and monitor activities of the volunteer HBC providers. Members of idir HBC committees were given project management training and took part in an experience sharing tour. Each implementing idir recruited volunteer HBC providers. Volunteers were trained in HBC service provision, OVC care and support, and given an introduction to HIV prevention activities. An HBC center, which will serve as a training and resource site, is under development.

LESSONS LEARNED: Community participation and empowerment is key to HIV programs in terms of sustainability, stigma alleviation and quality of care.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Training for community volunteers should enable volunteers to become HIV cadres for the various HIV intervention programs in their respective communities. Programs should aspire to integrate intervention activities (e.g. HBC, OVC care and support, voluntary counseling and testing, community-based DOTS and community HIV prevention activities) with practical referral linkages.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Home Care Services, Health Services, Organizations, Health Planning Guidelines, Consumer Participation, Health, Research, Health Planning, Counseling, Delivery of Health Care, Maternal-Child Health Centers, Ethiopia, organization & administration, education

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