The Poster Exhibition of the 28th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016), Durban, South Africa, includes approximately 1,000 posters; it is organized by track and covers a wide variety of HIV research topics, such as basic and translational research, clinical research, and implementation research, economics, systems and synergies with other health and development sectors. Each poster is displayed for one day and presenters stand by their posters at scheduled times to answer questions and provide further information on their study results. APCOM and its national partners from the Multi-country South Asia Global Fund HIV Programme (MSA) had a chance to participate and exhibit the following abstracts.
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Eeney Meeney Miney Moe: The effect of selective engagements of national networks with key affected population subgroups
Author: APCOM’s Senior Advocacy and Programme Officer Inad Rendon
Based on the observation of the implementation of joint APCOM-AFAO’s network capacity building initiative Jumpstart, the abstract concludes that national networks employing health-based advocacy in Asia-Pacific region are donor driven and are operating to achieve particular targets among identified key affected population subgroups. The regional HIV advocacy and competitive funding streams have mainly influenced the country level advocacy. In order for impactful and effective HIV response, the country level advocacy needs to go beyond health perspective and encompass rights-based approach cutting across all key population subgroups.
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Creating Enabling Environment to Reduce Vulnerabilities of MSM towards HIV/AIDS through Key Stakeholder’s Sensitization
Author: T. Chopade, H. Mhaprolkar and V. Anand (Humsafar Trust)
Based on the examination of 21 community-led sensitization workshops involving 655 stakeholders on MSM issues in India’s North and North Eastern areas, the abstract concluded that community-led stakeholder sensitization is key factor in creating and fostering rational attitudes toward MSM; enabling environments further empower MSM to seek healthcare and legal aid, and thus, reducing their vulnerabilities to violence and HIV. Community involvement and wider replication of similar activities are strongly needed to promote human rights, overall wellbeing and social justice toward marginalized communities such as MSM.
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Impact of Decentralized and Reduced Government Funding on HIV/AIDS Program for MSM And TG Population in India
Author: Richa Salvi, Vivek Anand and Hemangi Mhaprolkar (Humsafar Trust)
Based on the surveillance of Humsafar Trust’s MSA grant deployment to community-based organisations in 10 states and one union territory of India, the abstract concludes that these States have hidden MSM and TG population who are difficult to reach. Targeted interventions had successfully reached out to this population through outreach strategies. High turnover of staff, especially peer educators and outreach workers, however, has affected outreach programme, and thus, contributed to increased risk of HIV transmission among these key populations due to unavailability of prevention services. Timely and adequate disbursement of funds by states is need of the hour to implement HIV/AIDS prevention program for MSM and TG population.
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Strategies for Improving Services and Programmes to Address Gender-Based Violence against MSM and Transgender People in Dhaka
Author: Masbah Uddin Ahmed (Bandhu Social Welfare Society)
A qualitative study was conducted with focus groups of MSM & trans community and 14 in-depth interviews with key informants including stakeholders from the community, government and donors to scrutiny gender-based violence experiences among Bangladeshi MSM and trans persons. The study finds that 90% MSM and TG face a variety of physical, sexual and verbal abuses ranging from being teased by people on the streets to rape and murder. Two key sources of violence were police officers and healthcare providers, thus creating barriers to accessing legal and healthcare services. Participants reported current programs do not address their needs.
Click here to view the full abstract poster.
