Integrating SRH and HIV Programming in a Humanitarian Context

Location:

Introduction:

In Uganda, the International Rescue Committee (IRC)  is responding to the South Sudanese refugee crisis while also continuing to serve the host population and vulnerable communities. IRCInternational Rescue Committee provides primary health care support, including comprehensive sexual reproductive health (SRH) services, in the newly established settlement in Yumbe district through 2 health facilities that serve over 100,000 refugees. Additionally, the IRCInternational Rescue Committee supports 8 health facilities in Adjumani district (with a refugee population of over 86,000) and 3 health facilities in Kiryandongo district (with a refugee population of over 60,000 refugees) with delivery of SRHSexual and reproductive health services.

Project Description:

According to UNAIDS, 360 new HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus infections occur per week in Uganda among adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 years. In all efforts, HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus programming is integrated within comprehensive sexual and reproductive health work, ensuring care, treatment, and support for HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus positive patients. The IRCInternational Rescue Committee offers HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus counseling and testing (HCT) in all IRCInternational Rescue Committee-supported health facilities in an integrated manner. This includes both client- and provider-initiated HCTHIV counseling and testing and routine HCTHIV counseling and testing for pregnant women. Patients who have tested positive are provided with antiretroviral medications either at the same location or through referral to a nearby accredited facility. HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus positive patients are also linked to available support services, including peer-support mechanisms such as family support groups for mother-baby pairs.

Through its SRHSexual and reproductive health initiatives across Uganda, the IRCInternational Rescue Committee conducts routine HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus tests for all pregnant women, providing counseling and antiretroviral drugs to lower the risk of transmission from mother-to-child. The IRCInternational Rescue Committee also started family planning counseling for women who are HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus positive and for those who are not planning on having a child at the moment. This is in line with the integrated approach to HCTHIV counseling and testing, linking this with other SRHSexual and reproductive health services such as family planning, chronic illness care, post-abortion care, adolescent SRHSexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence.

Lessons Learned:

The IRCInternational Rescue Committee follows standard protocols set forth by the WHOWorld Health Organization and the Ministry of Health to ensure quality of SRHSexual and reproductive health and HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus services. To support awareness-raising and promote care-seeking behavior, the IRCInternational Rescue Committee works with partners on the ground, such as Village Health Team members, to effectively inform communities about HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus prevention and treatment. Community engagement approaches include working through community and religious leaders, use of peer-support groups, and other community fora. The combination of quality health service provision with community level activities to increase awareness and demand for services serves to improve health outcomes for the affected population.