HIV/AIDS CARE & TREATMENT CAPACITY REINFORCEMENT AMONG THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE ARMED FORCES
Abstract
In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 54,000 people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Sierra Leone, comprising a national prevalence of 1.4%. An estimated 2,600 new infections occur in Sierra Leone each year. In 2013, the HIV prevalence rate of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) was found to be 3.30%, more than double that of the general population. The Sierra Leone 2016-2020 national strategic plan identifies uniformed personnel as key populations for targeted intervention. Given military personnel s high mobility and interconnectedness with civilian populations, the RSLAF is a strategic intervention point for reducing HIV transmission in the general population and achieving key target outcomes. United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets set aggressive benchmarks for ending the HIV pandemic by diagnosing 90% of HIV infections, treating 90% of known positives, and achieving viral suppression in 90% of those treated. A number of key roadblocks pose significant challenges to achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets within Sierra Leone. The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak that resulting in over 8,700 confirmed cases and nearly 4,000 deaths halted recent progress in reducing new infections and expanding treatment coverage by diverting limited health resources away from HIV testing, care, and treatment, while simultaneously crippling health infrastructure. In addition to these country-wide obstacles, several specific barriers further complicate RSLAF’s ability to achieve UNAIDS’s 90-90-90 objectives. These include: limited antiretroviral treatment distribution points throughout the country, poor clinical retention among military personnel, and a paper-based medical records system that prevent coordinated clinical care. To overcome these barriers, Metabiota’s goal is to expand and streamline ARV treatment distribution; to support RSLAF to better coordinate integrated HIV and other STI testing, care and treatment; and to strengthen clinical care and treatment. To accomplish this goal, Metabiota proposes to work with the RSLAF to accomplish the following general objectives: (1) To develop and implement a coordinated, mobile health services unit that includes HIV testing and treatment to reach military personnel deployed at battalions across the country; (2) To provide professional development trainings for military clinical and support staff across multiple service delivery levels as well as procurement of prioritized clinical equipment and consumables to ensure excellence in care, treatment, and retention; and (3) To develop and implement intelligent information management tools, including the continued development, adaptation, and expansion of a customized electronic medical record system to optimize resource management and enable coordinated clinical care.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 2017
- Source ID
- N002441710015
Entities
People
- Karen Saylors