Afghanistan is considered a country of low HIV prevalence. However, growing evidence of injecting drug use and lack of blood safety makes it highly vulnerable to the spread of HIB. Drug trafficking, poor public health infrastructure, low status of women and mobile population will all contribute to the spread if concerted action is not commenced now.
Due to absence of surveillances system in Afghanistan there is n data on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevalence. The first HIV positive case in Afghanistan was reported in 1989 from the Central Blood Bank in Kabul and by 2005 the number rose to 67, mostly (46) reported during 2004-05. Of these, 37 were living in Afghanistan and other were returnees from Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Thirty two cases were reported from the provinces of Nangarhar, Heart, Mazar, JozJan and Kunduz.
The Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing Center (VCCT) at Kabul reported 15 confirmed cases (out of 655 clients) in 2005. The percentage prevalence rate among IDUs who accessed VCTC was 3.5% and it was 0.9% among others.
Strategic Direction: AFGA intends to create an enabling environment to reduce vulnerability to HIV/AIDS through increased public awareness on HIV/AIDS and integrated HIV and SRH services.
Goal: To maintain low prevalence of HIV infection in Afghanistan
Objectives: Objective 1
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To strengthen commitment and support community gatekeepers and
policy makers for RHR initiatives for adolescents and
young people.
Activities:
Objective 2
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To increase access to interventions for the prevention of
HIV/STI infection through integrated,
gender-sensitive RH programmes.
Activities:
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Develop
HIV/
AIDS workplace policy and programme for AFGA
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Building capacity of staff on integrating
HIV and SRH, focused prevention among vulnerable population, VCT, STI management, PPTCT etc
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Make provision for VCCT,
STI management and counseling following standard protocols and guidelines in AFGA clinics.
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Conduct research and collect data for evidence-based
advocacy for access to prevention, care and support.
Outcomes and Indicators:
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Outcomes |
Indicators |
- Improved co-ordination and collaboration with different agencies working on HIV/AIDS at the national level
- Increased understanding on gender and rights-based perspectives of AFGA on HIV/AIDS
- Increased public awareness on HIV/AIDS/STI for prevention and dtigma reduction
- Increased commitment for HIV/AIDS programs at national level.
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- Number of capacity building programs conducted for staff and volunteers
- Number of MoU signed with line ministries
- Number of linkages with networks of PLWHA and NGOs
- Number of awareness programmes conducted for vulnerable groups and number of people trained
- Number of IEC/BCC materials on HIV/AIDS distributed
- Proportion of media stories/programmes having rights-based perspectives on HIV/AIDS
- Workplace policy and number and type of workplace programs
- Number of training programs foe service providers
- Number of clinics delivering VCT, STI management and counseling services using standard protocol and guidelines
- Number of advocacy programmes conducted with different stakeholders.
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