HIV, AIDS, and Sexually Transmitted Infections

Every 24 hours, an estimated 6,800 people are infected with HIV (nearly 50 every minute!) and more than 1 million contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Currently, an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV, and in Sub-Saharan Africa—the region hit hardest by the pandemic—the majority of 15-24 year-olds living with HIV is female. The need for quality HIV, AIDS, and STI services is therefore more important than ever.

Current health care systems in most of the developing world are struggling to provide even the most basic health services. While HIV treatment is becoming more widely available in the developed world, it still eludes most people living in the world’s poorest communities. In these places, not only is medication often unavailable, but health care providers are not adequately trained to help patients prevent HIV/STIs or treat or counsel patients who are living with HIV or AIDS. Additionally, health workers often discriminate against people living with HIV and perpetuate the stigma surrounding HIV in their workplaces and communities.

EngenderHealth is addressing these inequities in care by training health providers, improving health services, and advocating for national policies that respond to the needs of people living with HIV. EngenderHealth is:

• Improving access to critical HIV services, including: voluntary counseling and testing for HIV; treatment, care and support; and preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV
• Reducing the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS in health care settings
• Improving the safety and effectiveness of existing clinical services, including reducing the risk of transmitting HIV and other STIs
• Integrating HIV and AIDS services with sexual and reproductive health services to better meet clients’ needs
• Promoting the right of people living with HIV to sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning
• Providing women, men and youth with comprehensive information to make informed and voluntary decisions about ways to prevent HIV and other STIs
• Increasing access to adult male circumcision, a technology proven to reduce HIV risk
• Engaging men as partners in reproductive health

By joining forces with government health ministries, community-based organizations, and local health facilities, EngenderHealth is implementing programs that are resourceful, effective, and sustainable—in countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and more.