Project profile — HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Prevention in South Africa

• South Africa (100.00%)

• Basic Health: Tuberculosis control (12263) (20.00%)
• Population Policies/Programmes And Reproductive Health: STD control including HIV/AIDS (13040) (80.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (principal objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

The project aims to improve the health of people affected by AIDS (particularly children), to lower rates of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) infection, as well as to increase community awareness of HIV/AIDS and TB testing services, prevention, and treatment. At the time of the project launch, a study from the Human Sciences Research Council indicated that the prevalence of HIV in South Africa was at its highest rate in history. In the project target area of Ngqushwa district in the Easter Cape province, HIV prevalence rates fluctuate between 33% and 45% of pregnant women of which only 10% present for voluntary screening. In response, the project provides education and prevention services regarding pediatric AIDS, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and TB, and improves the quality of care and support for people living with AIDS and for TB patients. Pregnant women are encouraged to attend pre- and post-natal care, get screened for TB, be tested for HIV, and receive appropriate care during pregnancy. The project benefits 29,500 HIV- and TB-infected people in Ngqushwa municipality. Project activities are implemented in collaboration with Primate's World Relief and Development Fund’s local partner, Keiskamma Trust (KT).

The expected outcomes for this project include: (i) improved health-seeking behaviour and use of HIV-AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) health services by people living with AIDS and TB through community awareness activities targeting both women and men; (ii) improved quality and availability of HIV/AIDS and TB health services, especially for pregnant mothers and children, based on gender and environmentally sound principles; and (iii) increased level of understanding and implementation of government policies affecting TB patients, people living with AIDS, including prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Results achieved as of the end of project (September 2017) include: (1) 74 community health workers (of which 64 women) provided home-based care in their respective communities to people living with AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) positive people, referred community members to health and psychosocial services, supported pregnant women, and educated community members on HIV/AIDS and TB prevention, treatment and care; (2) 130 community awareness workshops were facilitated and 134 community awareness campaigns were organized and attended by 15,718 women, men and children; (3) 2,733 people living with AIDS and TB-positive people participated in nutrition training sessions; (4) 3,693 community members (of which 2,131 women and 532 children) were transported to clinics and hospitals; and (5) 5,081 family members (2,226 women and adolescent girls, and 693 children) benefited from food packages to help them take their antiretroviral and TB treatment.

• Proactive disclosure