Population Council Research that makes a difference

XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010)
18–23 July 2010

Abstract

"Capacity building can bring expected impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and contribute to sustainability of prevention activities in Bangladesh"
Salim Khan, D. Anwar Islam, Ismat Bhuiya, D.N. Ahmad, and D.F. Sultana

Issue
There has been a lack of trained and motivated human resources in carrying out high-quality HIV/AIDS prevention activities to achieve expected results. Effective and high-quality implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention activities can only be ensured through generating trained and motivated service providers.

Description
The capacity-building activities began in April 2008 under the GFATM Round 6 HIV project in Bangladesh. The BRAC University School of Public Health with four associate partners has been implementing the project. The project is designed to generate skilled human resources with a view to delivering high-quality and high-standard services and ensure sustainability of the HIV/AIDS prevention program. So far, 160 midlevel managers have been trained on HIV/AIDS issues, management, monitoring, and evaluation. Of them 19 percent were government officials and 81 percent NGO managers.

Lesson learned
Substantial improvement was observed at post- than pre-test training among participants regarding STI/HIV/AIDS related issues, management, and monitoring and evaluation. 20 percent of the trained managers were provided with mentoring support. The mentoring visit revealed that trained individuals have started working as HIV experts at their respective organizations and in the community without having financial support. The community-level workers have started getting training from these trained human resources. Public–private collaboration and networking have been established. There is still a need to change people's attitudes and behaviors, which help them lead a healthier life; awareness must be raised and stigma and discrimination associated with PLHA must be addressed. Sustainability of such efforts is also a critical issue.

Next steps
Arrange more courses to train service providers and self-help groups; strengthen monitoring of the activities of the trainees and coordination among trained human resources, government and nongovernmental organizations, and the community; organize exposure visits; involve communities in program implementation and monitoring; decentralize and involve local-level governments in efforts related to HIV/AIDS prevention.

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Offsite link: AIDS 2010 Web site

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