Family Planning HIV Integration in the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces HIV Program
Abstract
Overview: RTI International (RTI) was awarded the US Department of Defense (DoD)-funded Family Planning/HIV Integration in the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) HIV Program Grant on January 8, 2015, for a duration of 12 months. The project was implemented by RTI staff employed through the DoD-funded Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, Treatment, and Support Project with the UPDF. The overall goal of the grant was to increase the use of quality family planning (FP) services among UPDF uniformed personnel, their spouses, and populations surrounding UPDF establishments and facilities. The primary target population was HIV infected and uninfected men and women of child bearing age, and their partners, who were receiving HIV related and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services at the 15 project supported UPDF facilities. Objectives were to: (1) increase availability and access of all modern FP methods, (2) increase demand for FP services, (3) improve infrastructure for the delivery of quality FP services, (4) strengthen the supply chain for FP commodities and supplies, and (5) improve the quality of FP services. The desired practice of FP/HIV integration is to have (a) all HIV + women of child bearing age and their partners receive FP services and (b) all women and partners receiving SRH services to also receive HIV testing and counseling. The FP/HIV Integration Grant strengthened the capacity of UPDF health workers to provide FP services and provide them with HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services. Special attention was paid to strengthening the FP component of the Option B+ package of prevention of mother-to-child transmission services and also in linking FP services with other maternal and child health services that are part of the Uganda Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Saving Mothers initiative. Key Accomplishments: 1. Conducted a needs assessment for FP/HIV integration services in 15 UPDF facilities across the country to ascertain the state of affairs pertaining to FP and HIV services and the extent of the integration of the services. The assessment primarily covered systems for FP/HIV integrated service delivery, e.g., screening and referral of clients, capacity to provide quality family planning services, and availability of FP commodities. The results of the needs assessment guided the plan to support the facilities to bridge the existing gaps and promote integration of FP and HIV services. 2. Trained 277 health care workers on FP/HIV services integration strategy; 94 health workers on FP service provision, with emphasis on strengthening providers’ skills on the provision of longer-term FP methods, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants; and 64 health workers on cervical cancer screening. 3. Provided technical assistance and support to successfully integrate FP and HIV services at 15 UPDF facilities. Support included orientation and training of health workers, follow-up mentorship and on-the-job supervision for trained health workers, and procurement and distribution of assorted kits for IUDs and implant insertion and removal. 4. Printed and distributed 90 MOH FP flip charts and 2,500 copies of the Mother Baby Passport. 5. Provided 5,544 women (including HIV+ women) with FP methods, and also provided HIV testing and cervical cancer screening to 2,157 and 392 women, respectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 2016
- Source ID
- N002441510013
Entities
People
- Isiah Ndong
Organizations
- RTI International