While many programs are meeting the treatment needs of people living with HIV, the need remains to protect their sexual partners, and the prevention needs of people living with HIV remain neglected. This approach, often called prevention with positives, is closely related to meeting the reproductive health needs of people living with HIV. Offering services in the window between learning one’s status and beginning treatment is a prime opportunity to deliver effective prevention services and ensure that this vulnerable population can access the range of HIV services when needed. Stigma and discrimination deter people living with HIV—especially women and adolescents—from accessing reproductive health and other services. Preventing unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV is critical to reducing the number of children infected with HIV.
Population Council focus
The Council is committed to improving the health and wellness of people living with HIV and their sexual partners. Council research includes investigating how to best meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of people living with HIV, including how to deliver effective prevention and family planning services, and how to meet the psychosocial needs of adolescents living with HIV.
Population Council impact
- Building on formative research, the Council is translating a clinic-based intervention to the community in order to offer prevention services to people living with HIV who are not receiving ART.
- Using findings from a baseline assessment of family planning at ART sites in the North West province of South Africa, the Council is piloting or enhancing site-specific service-delivery models based on needs, preferences, and capacities within healthcare settings, government policies, and community practices.
- Pioneering work on understanding the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda prompted the development of a strategy for meeting their needs as well as new attention to this issue in neighboring Kenya.
Future directions
The Council is evaluating the introduction of a preventive care package for people living with HIV and AIDS in Ethiopia, which includes a focus on prevention with positives. In Kenya, the Council is working to improve services for adolescents living with HIV by developing a counseling curriculum and a sexuality/fertility intentions assessment tool; and by supporting key government entities to develop policy guidelines for providing services and revise school policies, regulations, and procedures incorporating best practices for supporting in-school HIV-positive young people.
Projects
Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP) (more)
The Population Council is the coordinating partner for STEP UP, which will generate policy-relevant research to promote an evidence-based approach for improving access to family planning and safe abortion.
(1/2011 - 1/2016)
Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Senegal
Evaluation of Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, People Living with HIV/AIDS and Youth in Zambia (RAPIDS) (more)
The Council evaluated the RAPIDS program, which offers a holistic package of care and support services aimed at improving the quality of life of people who are living with HIV, children living within their households, and youth within their communities.
(8/2004 - 8/2010)
Zambia
Factors Affecting Enrollment of People Living with HIV and AIDS in ART Services in India (more)
To support increased utilization of the Government of India’s network of antiretroviral treatment (ART) centers, the Population Council identified factors that contribute to utilization of ART services among newly diagnosed HIV-positive people.
(3/2009 - 5/2010)
India
HIV/AIDS Evaluation, Assessment, and Formative Research (more)
The Council and partners are conducting several research, evaluation, and technical assistance activities on USAID-funded HIV/AIDS programs in Uganda.
(10/2008 - 1/2010)
Uganda
Understanding and Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents Living with HIV (more)
The Council’s FRONTIERS program assessed the fertility desires of adolescents living with HIV and developed an intervention to meet those needs.
(3/2007 - 1/2008)
Uganda
Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and Youth HIV Risk (more)
Council researchers explored the effects of gender, poverty, orphanhood, and social isolation on adolescent HIV and pregnancy risk and gender-based violence in South Africa.
(1/2004 - 12/2007)
South Africa
HIV Prevention with Positive People in Mombasa, Kenya: How Do We Reach Them in the Community? (more)
Council scientists conducted formative research to address the gap in information about how to identify and access HIV-positive persons who are not accessing care and treatment services as a first step in designing and implementing a prevention project in Mombasa, Kenya.
(4/2007 - 9/2007)
Kenya
Reducing HIV Risk Behavior Among Key Populations by Strengthening Programs Through Community Involvement (more)
Council researchers explored issues of social capital, stigma and discrimination, HIV knowledge and behaviors, self-esteem, and service delivery among three key populations (female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people living with HIV) in Andhra Pradesh, India, before and after exposure to interventions designed to empower them to practice HIV prevention behaviors.
(7/2003 - 7/2007)
India
Reducing Drop-outs and Increasing Adherence Rates Among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Northern Thailand (more)
Council researchers with the Horizons program evaluated the use of practical guidelines and a clinic-counseling intervention in promoting short and long-term HIV/AIDS medication adherence in Thailand.
(11/2003 - 5/2007)
Thailand
Promoting the Sustainability of PLHA Care and Support Activities by Young People in Zambia (more)
This Horizons study established that young people who provide care and support to people living with HIV and AIDS can help meet their needs and those of family members and can help reduce community stigmatization of those who are infected or help youth to reduce sexual risk-taking; focus now is on the long-term sustainability of the program.
(9/1999 - 3/2007)
Zambia
From PPTCT to PPTCT Plus: Improving Access to Treatment, Care, and Support for HIV-positive Women and Their Families (more)
Council researchers explored the extent to which and how parent-to-child HIV transmission services are linked to other HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for HIV-infected mothers.
(7/2005 - 2/2007)
India
Succession Planning to Support AIDS-affected Children (more)
Population Council researchers with the Horizons program evaluated the effectiveness of a succession-planning program in Uganda that helps HIV-positive parents plan for their children’s long-term well-being.
(8/1999 - 1/2003)
Uganda
Resources
"The Population Council's HIV and AIDS program," fact sheet (PDF)
Population Council
Publication date: 2012
A lifetime of violence: Results from an exploratory survey of Mexican women With HIV (abstract)
Kendall,Tamil; van Dijk,Marieke G.; Wilson,Katherine; Picasso,Nizarindandi; Lara,Diana K.; Garcia,Sandra G.
Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care 23(5): 377-387
Publication date: 2012
Meaningful involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda through linkages between network groups and health facilities: An evaluation study (abstract)
Kim,Young-Mi; Kalibala,Sam; Neema,Stella; Lukwago,John; Weiss,Deborah C.
Psychology, Health & Medicine 17(2): 213-222
Publication date: 2012
Prevalence and correlates of non-disclosure of HIV serostatus to sex partners among HIV-infected female sex workers and HIV-infected male clients of female sex workers in India (abstract) (PDF)
Saggurti,Niranjan; Raj,Anita; Mahapatra,Bidhubhusan; Cheng,Debbie M.; Coleman,Sharon; Bridden,Carly; Battala,Madhusudana; Silverman,Jay G.; Pardeshi,Manoj; Samet,Jeffrey H.
AIDS and Behavior Published online ahead of print, 19 July
Publication date: 2012
Sexual behavior of HIV-positive adults not accessing HIV treatment in Mombasa, Kenya: Defining their prevention needs (abstract) (PDF)
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Pickett,Melissa; Chersich,Matthew F.; Okal,Jerry; Geibel,Scott; King'ola,Nzioki; Temmerman,Marleen
AIDS Research and Therapy 9: 9-
Publication date: 2012
APHIA II Operations Research Project in Kenya Newsletter, May 2011 (PDF)
Publication date: 2011
Barriers to sexual and reproductive health programming for adolescents living with HIV in Uganda (abstract)
Obare,Francis; Birungi,Harriet; Kavuma,Linda
Population Research and Policy Review 30(1): 151-163
Publication date: 2011
Maternal health care utilization among HIV-positive female adolescents in Kenya (abstract) (PDF)
Birungi,Harriet; Obare,Francis; van der Kwaak,Anke; Namwebya,Jane Harriet
International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 37(3): 143-149
Publication date: 2011
Looking back, moving forward: Improving the lives of orphans and other children affected by AIDS, Horizons studies 1998 to 2007 (PDF)
Schenk,Katie D.; Michaelis,Annie P.; Nelson,Tobey C.; Brown,Lisanne; Weiss,Ellen
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010
Looking back, moving forward: Reducing HIV-related stigma, Horizons studies 2000 to 2007 (PDF)
Pulerwitz,Julie; Michaelis,Annie P.; Weiss,Ellen; Brown,Lisanne; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010
Prevention with positives: How do we reach them in the community? (PDF)
Sarna,Avina; Okal,Jerry; Luchters,Stanley; King'ola,Nzioki; Geibel,Scott
Publication date: 2010
RAPIDS evaluation final report 2005-2009 key findings (PDF)
Apicella,Louis; Schenk,Katie D.; Khan,Hena
Publication date: 2010
The limited effect of knowing they are HIV-positive on the sexual and reproductive experiences and intentions of infected adolescents in Uganda (abstract)
Obare,Francis; Birungi,Harriet
Population Studies 64(1): 97-104
Publication date: 2010
Special needs of in-school HIV positive young people in Uganda
(PDF)
Obare,Francis; Birungi,Harriet; Katahoire,Anne; Nkayivu,Hannington; Kibenge,Aggrey David
Publication date: 2009
Final evaluation of the project for expanding the role of networks of people living with HIV/AIDS (PDF)
Kim,Young-Mi; Lukwago,John; Neema,Stella
Publication date: 2009
HIV aakranto baktider shebadankolpe caregiver proshikkhon manual [Caregiver training manual for HIV-infected people]
Publication date: 2009
HIV aakranto janogosthir jonno peer educator proshikkhon manual [Peer educator training manual for HIV-infected people]
Publication date: 2009
HIV shoncromito baktider jonno counseling proshikkhon manual [Counseling training manual for HIV-infected people]
Publication date: 2009
Hospice Africa Uganda: End-of-project evaluation of palliative care services (PDF)
Bongiovanni,Annette; Greenan,Mary Alexis
Publication date: 2009
'If you start thinking positively, you won't miss sex': Narratives of sexual (in)activity among people living with HIV in Nairobi's informal settlements (abstract) (HTML)
Undie,Chi-Chi; Kasiira Ziraba,Abdhalah; Madise,Nyovani Janet; Kebaso,John; Kimani-Murage,Elizabeth
Culture, Health and Sexuality 11(8): 767-782
Publication date: 2009
Satisfaction with peer educators among HIV infected persons (abstract)
Suwanteerangkul,Jiraporn; Chariyalertsak,Suwat; Oberdorfer,Peninnah; Thapinta,Darawan; Wu,Albert W.; Sarna,Avina; Guest,Philip
Chiang Mai Medical Journal 48(3): 95-104
Publication date: 2009
Standard Operating Procedures for Services to People Living with HIV and AIDS
Publication date: 2009
The AFFORD Health Marketing Initiative in Uganda: Mid-term evaluation (PDF)
Rohozynsky,Oleksandr; Billingsley,Christie; Bongiovanni,Annette
Publication date: 2009
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its determinants amongst HIV patients in India (abstract) (PDF)
Sarna,Avina; Pujari,Sanjay; Sengar,A.K.; Garg,Rajiv; Gupta,Indrani; van Dam,C.Johannes
Indian Journal of Medical Research 127(1): 28-36
Publication date: 2008
Circumstances and motivations for fostering children in Zambia (abstract)
Schenk,Katie D.; Ndhlovu,Lewis; Tembo,Stephen; Nsune,Andson; Nkhata,Chozi; Walusiku,Batuke; Watts,Charlotte
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 3(1): 78-84
Publication date: 2008
Desire for motherhood: Exploring HIV-positive women's desires, intentions and decision-making in attaining motherhood (abstract)
Kanniappan,S.; Jeyapaul,M.J.; Kalyanwala,Shveta
AIDS Care 20(6): 625-630
Publication date: 2008
Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua: Women living with HIV have unmet family planning needs (PDF)
FRONTIERS OR Summary (no. 75)
Publication date: 2008
Gender-related differences in quality of life domains of persons living with HIV/AIDS in South India (abstract) (PDF)
Solomon,Suniti; Venkatesh,Kartik K.; Brown,Lisanne; Verma,Praneeta; Cecelia,Anitha J.; Daly,Celine; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Cheng,N.; Kumarasamy,N.; Mayer,Kenneth H.
AIDS Patient Care and STDs 22(12): 999-1005
Publication date: 2008
Involving young people in the care and support of people living with HIV in Zambia: An evaluation of program sustainability (PDF)
Esu-Williams,Eka; Searle,Catherine; Zulu,Anderson
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2008
Needs assessment study for developing the standard operating procedures for services to people living with HIV and AIDS
Bhuiya,Ismat; Rahman Chowdhury,Mahmudur; Krishna Baidya,Amar; Chowdhury,Asiful Haider; Hassan,Kamrul
Publication date: 2008
Sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda (PDF)
Birungi,Harriet; Mugisha,John Frank; Nyombi,Juliana K.; Obare,Francis; Evelia,Humphres; Nyinkavu,Hannington
FRONTIERS Final Report
Publication date: 2008
Sexual risk behavior and HAART: A comparative study of HIV-infected persons on HAART and on preventive therapy in Kenya (abstract)
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Kaai,Susan; Munyao,Paul; Shikely,Khadija; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; van Dam,C.Johannes; Temmerman,Marleen
International Journal of STD and AIDS 19(2): 85-89
Publication date: 2008
Sharing the strategic framework of standard operating procedures for services to people living with HIV and AIDS: A national workshop report
Bhuiya,Ismat; Rahman Chowdhury,Mahmudur; Krishna Baidya,Amar; Chowdhury,Asiful Haider; Hassan,Kamrul
Publication date: 2008
Factors underlying the fertility intentions of people living with HIV/AIDS in Karnataka
Kalyanwala,Shveta; Iyengar,Sanghamitra; Janardhan,Sulekha
Publication date: 2007
Factors underlying the fertility intentions of people living with HIV/AIDS in Karnataka
Update
Publication date: 2007
Meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of people living with HIV: Challenges for health care providers (abstract)
Bharat,Shalini; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma
Reproductive Health Matters 15(29, suppl 1): 93-112
Publication date: 2007
Transcending boundaries to improve the food security of HIV-affected households in rural Uganda: A case study (PDF)
Coon,Katharine; Ogden,Jessica; Odolon,John; Obudi-Owor,Anthony; Otim,Charles; Byakigga,James; Spebanja,Peter
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2007
Costs and financial burden of care and support services to PLHA and households in South India (abstract)
Duraisamy,P.; Ganesh,A.K.; Homan,Rick; Kumarasamy,N.; Castle,Christopher; Sripriya,P.; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Solomon,Suniti
AIDS Care 18(2): 121-127
Publication date: 2006
RAPIDS baseline survey report
Schenk,Katie D.; Ndhlovu,Lewis
Publication date: 2006
Reducing AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Indian hospitals (PDF)
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Gilborn,Laelia; George,Bitra; Samson,Luke; Mudoi,Rupa; Jadav,Sarita; Gupta,Indrani; Bharat,Shalini; Daly,Celine
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2006
Reducing stigma and discrimination in hospitals: Positive findings from India (PDF)
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Gilborn,Laelia; George,Bitra; Samson,Luke; Mudoi,Rupa; Jadav,Sarita; Gupta,Indrani; Bharat,Shalini; Daly,Celine
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2006
Strengthening care and support services in the era of treatment: Symposium report, 22-23 November 2005, Johannesburg, South Africa (PDF)
Horizons Program
Horizons Symposium Report
Publication date: 2006
A rapid situation analysis of the access to care project in Northern Thailand (PDF)
Panpanich,Ratana
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
Expanding care and support in South India: Scaling up YRG CARE's patient-centered approach (PDF)
YRG CARE; Horizons Program; International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
Involving young people in the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia (PDF)
Esu-Williams,Eka; Schenk,Katie D.; Motsepe,Joseph; Geibel,Scott; Zulu,Anderson
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
Maximizing resources to meet client needs: Evaluation of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and support model in India (PDF)
YRG CARE; Horizons Program; International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
The affordability and appropriateness of an integrated care and support model to meet the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS
Horizons Report
Publication date: 2004
Interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS stigma: What have we learned? (abstract)
Brown,Lisanne; Macintyre,Kate; Trujillo,Lea
AIDS Education and Prevention 15(1): 49-69
Publication date: 2003
Involving youth in the care and support of people affected by HIV and AIDS (PDF)
Esu-Williams,Eka; Geibel,Scott; Motsepe,Joseph; Schenk,Katie D.; Zulu,Moses; Bweupe,Petronella
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003
Participation accrue des personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA aux activités des ONG de Lutte Contre le SIDA (PDF)
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003
The involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in community-based prevention, care and support programs in developing countries: A multi-country diagnostic study (PDF)
Publication date: 2003
The involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in the delivery of community-based prevention, care and support programs in Zambia: A diagnostic study
Publication date: 2003
The PLHA-friendly achievement checklist: A self-assessment tool for hospitals and other medical institutions caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) (PDF)
Horizons Program; SHARAN
Publication date: 2003
Vers une participation accrue des PVVIH au Burkina Faso (PDF)
Horizons Résumé de la Recherche
Publication date: 2003
YRG CARE base model report: Integrated prevention, care, and support services (PDF)
Castle,Christopher
Horizons Project Report
Publication date: 2003
Assessing progress to foster greater PLHA involvement in Burkina Faso
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
Greater involvement of PLHA In NGO service delivery: Findings from a four-country study (PDF)
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
The involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in the delivery of community-based prevention, care, and support services in Maharashtra, India
Cornu,Christophe; Dua,Rajiv; Attawell,Kathy; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Nadkarni,Vimla V.
Publication date: 2002
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