Region: Global

A treatment literacy guide for pregnant women and mothers living with HIV

Women living with HIV from eight countries have shared their expertise to shape the content and design of the guide and it was formulated in direct response to a call from communities for up-to-date, evidence-based resources.

Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention for Women and their Babies: A treatment literacy guide for pregnant women and mothers living with HIV is intended for use by networks of women living with HIV, women’s groups, peer educators and others wishing to provide information and guidance to support women living with HIV through the decisions they will need to make before, during and after their pregnancy.

The guide has 12 modules covering issues ranging from human rights to treatment adherence and nutrition. It is made up of three separate tools:

• facilitator’s manual
• illustrated flipchart
• accessible poster

The facilitator’s manual and flipchart are intended to be used together by leaders of support groups, peer educators or lay counselors to facilitate small groups or community sessions with women living with HIV. The poster can be displayed anywhere where it will be seen by women living with HIV and their families, such as: clinic rooms, church halls, waiting rooms and community education spaces.

This guide was developed by members of the Community Engagement Working Group (CEWG) of the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) for Prevention and Treatment of HIV Infection in Pregnant Women, Mother and Children, a group committed to strengthening global, regional and national partnerships and programs that address the survival of pregnant women, mothers and children living with HIV.

The United Nations will gather for the High Level Meeting on HIV on 8-10 June 2016. Many say this may be the last High Level Meeting on HIV ever. This also depends on whether member states dare to give the HIV response teeth with greater political commitments to fight stigma and discrimination, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and ensure universal access to treatment, care and support for all people living with HIV.

This is our chance to move members states to come to an unequivocal agreement with clear, time bound targets that ensure the rights and protection of people living with HIV and key populations.

A ‘Zero Draft’ of the political declaration, developed by co-facilitators Switzerland and Zambia was just released. This key document lays the foundation of the negotiations towards the High Level Meeting this upcoming June.

This summary contains the key messages and principles we demand from our national delegates.

In 2014, WHO produced the first ever Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for key populations. The Guidelines focus on five key populations: men who have sex with men; people who inject drugs; people in prisons and other closed settings; sex workers; and transgender people.

They present an opportunity for civil society, including networks of key populations and people living with HIV, to work with their governments to meaningfully involve key populations in national policymaking and begin investing in their specific needs. The Guidelines also offer an opening for dialogue and action on harmful laws, policies and societal norms that result in the denial and violation of human rights for key populations.

To support community organisation with the implementation of and advocacy for the Guidelines we created a new module for Key Populations to our Community Guide.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

Respecting human rights in the implementation of the VCT@WORK initiative: Operational guidelines

Access to VCT is part of a comprehensive workplace response to HIV. The VCT@WORK initiative seeks to address the needs of large and small businesses, as well as workers in the informal economy. These operational guidelines provide guidance on respecting human rights in the implementation of the VCT@WORK initiative, with a particular focus on the following.

• consent
• confidentiality
• counselling
• connection to care
• gender equality and women’s empowerment
• meaningful engagement of people living with HIV
• inclusion of key populations

In all workplace settings, staff HIV awareness is crucial to reducing HIV stigmatization and discrimination. Information should be made available to ensure that all workers know where they can go to seek voluntary and confidential HIV testing, and how to access HIV prevention, treatment, and care and support services.

A workplace policy with clearly defined principles to protect the rights of workers and to ensure non-discrimination and gender equality, as described in ILO Recommendation No. 200, is essential for the implementation and success of the VCT@WORK initiative. Of equal importance is the need for a truly representative HIV workplace committee, which should serve as a mechanism for the development and review of the workplace policy and programmes – including the VCT@WORK initiative.

The principle of Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIPA) is central to the implementation of the VCT@WORK initiative. A growing body of evidence shows that programmes implementing GIPA achieve better, and more sustainable, results. Globally, organizations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria continue to invest in the involvement of people living with HIV at all levels. At the local level, GIPA facilitates the creation of an environment that enables people living with HIV to fulfil their potential as employees, leaders and active members of society; it reduces stigma and contributes to the elimination of judgmental attitudes and discrimination. The guidelines further reinforce the need to:

a. build strong partnerships between workplaces involved in the initiative and employers’ and workers’ organizations, PLHIV networks and national governments, and, in particular, national AIDS commissions and VCT service providers;

b. provide adequate infrastructure and facilities for VCT to be conducted with respect for confidentiality and privacy, and aligned principles; and

c. establish good referral links with other service providers, to ensure that the needs of all PLHIV (women, men and transgender people) working with an organization are met.

The operational guidelines were developed following data collection from three country-level consultations with networks of PLHIV in India, Nigeria and South Africa – the three countries in the world with the highest numbers of people living with HIV. The inclusion of policy makers and decision makers from the business community in country-level discussions allowed them to express their concerns with regard to the implementation of HIV testing in and through the workplace.

This report examines the role of global-level advocacy in addressing HIV among key populations, including people living with HIV (PLHIV), people who inject drugs, sex workers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Entitled “Global Action with Local Impact: Why Advocacy Matters,” the report details strategies used and outcomes achieved by five constituency-led global network organizations focused on key populations, providing numerous case study examples illustrating the concrete impact of advocacy at the global level.

The report focuses on global-level work conducted as part of the Bridging the Gaps program, an international multi-agency effort devoted to achieving universal access to HIV services and ensuring full human rights for key populations. Supported by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the program is a collaboration between five Dutch-based organizations, five global key population networks, and 80 grassroots organizations across 16 countries.

The report includes principles of practice for global advocacy and a detailed theory of change depicting causal chains that lead to improvements in health and human rights for key populations. Numerous examples of global advocacy are included with a focus on concrete results of global advocacy initiatives. All work featured in the report was conducted by Bridging the Gaps global partners: the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD), the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), the MSMGF, and the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC).

More information on each of the other global key population networks featured in the report can be found on their respective websites: INPUD (www.inpud.net);  NSWP (www.nswp.org); the MSMGF (www.msmgf.org); and ITPC (www.itpcglobal.org). 

When it comes to HIV care and support, making better decisions matters to all of us.

Ethical decision-making:

• It matters to all people with HIV, including key populations and their children; and
• It matters to care workers who want to make the best possible decision.

If you want to make the best possible decision—or wish that the organization that supports you would improve its decision-making—now there’s a simple tool that can help, available in English, French, Spanish and Russian.

GNP+ is  proud to present Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

• the full Community Guide in PDF
• Set of three infographics
• Briefing
• Consultation report

“Whoever designed the guide deserves a round of applause because it is really great and we will be putting it to use right away. The question is how can we use this simplification as a model for getting information such as this to the commmunity.”

Dr Rose Wafula, PMTCT co-ordinator at NASCOP (National AIDS and STI Control Program) Kenya

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

This set of modules is designed to be used by communities to support the use of the new resource, Driving the HIV response: A community guide to the WHO 2013 Consolidated Guidelines on the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs for Treating and Preventing HIV Infection.

The downloadable modules cover different topics, and include:

• An introduction to the Community Guide
• Module A: HIV diagnosis
• Module B: Using ARVs to prevent HIV
• Module C: ART for adults
• Module D: ART for pregnant women
• Module E: ART for children
• Module F: Programmes
• Module G: Policies
• Module H: Adolescents
• Module I: Key Populations
• Resources

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and STOP AIDS NOW! developed the Community Guide in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 Consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV. It aims to assist community leaders and civil society organisations to:

• better understand the new WHO recommendations and guide country-level discussions on priorities (within civil society and between civil society and government)
• ensure the meaningful participation of communities most affected by HIV in national decision-making and planning
• advocate for any changes or further research necessary to adapt recommendations to suit their country context
• mobilise and prepare communities for the implementation of new recommendations.

The Global Plan towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections among Children by 2015 and Keeping their Mothers Alive (Global Plan) was launched in July 2011 at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) High Level Meeting by a Global Task Team, led by UNAIDS and PEPFAR.

This plan covers all low- and middle-income countries, but focuses on the 22 countries with the highest estimates of pregnant women living with HIV. The Global Plan sets out how by 2015 countries can work to ensure that mothers are supported to stay healthy and that children are born without HIV.

  In 2012 GNP+ began the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Plan 2011 – 2015. GNP+ prioritises its work according to three guiding pillars:

• Global Advocacy,
• Knowledge Management
• Community Strengthening and Development

The key focus of GNP+’s work is to make the evidence gathered in recent years through various research tools more visible and accessible for use in advocacy by PLHIV and others, and to secure an increased commitment towards community strengthening and development. GNP+ created a detailed 2013 Work Plan, describing 25 projects under four platforms of work, the three platforms above and a fourth of Organisational Strengthening, Management and Improvement. The 2013 Annual Report follows the same structure

In mid-January 2015, women living with HIV came together with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to consult and give input to a global survey on sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women living with HIV. Dr Manjulaa Narasimhan of WHO’s Reproductive Health and Research Department led on conducting the survey, which will inform WHO as it updates its 2006 guidelines on this topic.

• It calls for leadership by people living with HIV, including those from key populations.
• It transforms the concept of access to services, from a simple biomedical model to a holistic approach to meeting the needs of people living with HIV and their families in their communities.
• It puts the person living with HIV in the centre, and calls for a comprehensive set of actions – at policy and service delivery levels – that take into consideration the individual’s lived environment.
• It recognises the importance of meeting not only the person’s clinical needs but also their health needs and to protect their human rights.

Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention was developed for and by people living with HIV based on numerous consultations. at the global, regional and national levels. It articulates the next stage in the HIV response, where people living with HIV are at the centre and services offered in an environment that is supportive to meet all the needs of people living with HIV and their families. Instead of being regarded by “positive prevention” programmes as mere recipients of care and vessels of a virus that needs to be contained, people living with HIV embrace a new paradigm where they are actively involved as part of the solution to the epidemic and not seen as part of the problem.