SUCCESS STORIES
SCIPHA Project brings hope to Agago District Residents
Mothers in Omot line up to be tested at an outreach side. On 13th June 2013, Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV & OVC Care (SCIPHA) Project provided timely HIV Counseling and Testing services to 25 pregnant women and their partners in Omot Sub County, Agago district. These couples had come for Antenatal Care service in Omot Health Center II however; they could not get HIV services because the health centre had run out of testing kits. Luckily for the pregnant women and their partners, the SCIPHA team had on that day organized its four tent model outreach 5kms away from the Health centre. The four tent model is an innovation SCIPHA uses to provide a comprehensive package of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support products and services to individuals within their localities. The innovation was as a result of a gap noted in the referral system during a study conducted by the project in 2011. The study revealed that people found it difficult to access HIV prevention and treatment services in the health facilities. In addition, there was limited guarantee that clients who were sent from health facilities back to community continued to access HIV treatment services. Omolo Health Center staff referred the women and their partners to the SCIPHA camp for an HIV test. Acen Tolopher one of the women referred from the health center couldn’t hide her happiness. After three unsuccessful days of not getting tested at Omolo health center, she had finally got an HIV test. “I am happy that today, I have been able to be tested. I almost gave up because today is the third time that I have come yet I had not been able to be tested.” Acen said. On top of HIV counseling and Testing services, all mothers and their partners received a wide range of services that included health education on condom use, issues related to sexual and reproductive health, nutrition and sanitation. The couples were also screened and tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections. If any of the individuals had been found HIV positive, they would have been provided with the following services: condoms, treated for Opportunistic Infections, CD4 count & results delivered to the respective health facilities. if necessary, TB positive clients would have been referred for TB treatment in the nearest Health Facilities. Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV/AIDS and OVC Service Delivery in Uganda (SCIPHA) project is supported by the Civil Society Funded. SCIPHA is jointly being implemented by Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG). The project works in 19 districts through existing district and community structures such as Civil Society Organizations, Village Health Teams, People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) networks to deliver HIV prevention, care, and treatment and support services. Between January to June 2012, SCIPHA has provided HIV counselling and Testing services to over 100,000 individuals.SCIPHA’s Lima Mamas’ Club Grows into a Savings Club
Members of Lima women’s group pose for a picture. Members discuss issues during their weekly meeting. Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV & OVC Care (SCIPHA) is a project supported by the Civil Society Fund (CSF) that aims at providing HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support services in 19 districts. Among the interventions that SCIPHA introduced in 2011 are community level groups popularly referred to as mama’s clubs. These clubs that mainly consist of women have been instrumental in promoting uptake of HIV prevention, care and treatment services among over 3000 couples. Some of the mama’s clubs have now progressed into saving schemes. Lima women’s group in Koboko is one such group. After its establishment in September 2011, the mama’s club of thirty women used to meet on a daily basis to share information on HIV and health best practices like family planning and sanitation. As time progressed, the women realized that they faced a multitude of health issues that required them to access funding. They decided to start a Savings and Loans club. This gave birth to Lima Women’s Savings and Loans club. Civil Society Fund is a basket fund by the United States Agency for International Development, United Kingdom Department for International Development, Irish Aid, Danish International Development Agency and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Once every week, the mothers meet to discuss health issues as well as issues related to their savings. During the weekly meetings, each of the thirty members contributes 2500 shillings towards the scheme. After the members had been oriented on group dynamics by a SCIPHA team, they used the information and skills to create key positions for their Savings scheme. The scheme is run by an elected committee of five members that include the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Vice Secretary and Treasurer. In addition, each of the four villages where the members come from have committees. The committees are used for mobilizing the members for meetings or any other activities related to the mother’s club. Since its inception in August 2012, the group has saved a total of Uganda Shillings 360,000.Borrowing from the group attracts an interest of 10%. The money is kept by the treasurer and so far 14 women have benefited from the savings. Obia Grace one of the beneficiaries says the money helped her pay for medical costs. “This money helped me a lot because the time I became sick, I had a problem with my ovary. I was given 80,000 Shillings which helped me to go to Arua Hospital for check -up.”VHT mobilizing people for HCT services
Jalia Jingo testing for HIV. Jalia Jingo sells her cosmetics after taking an HIV test. Jalia Jingo 24, went to the Thursday mobile market in Rwenkoma, Mpigi district with one agenda – to sell her cosmetics. But when she arrived at 4pm, the market was an unusual beehive of activity. There was a man with a megaphone mobilizing people for free HIV Counseling and testing services. Jalia listened to him and decided to take the free HCT services that were being provided a few meters from where she was setting up her merchandise. The free HCT services were courtesy of Strengthening civil society for improved HIV/AIDS and OVC service delivery in Uganda (SCIPHA) Project. SCIPHA is a CSF funded project jointly implemented by a consortium of Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG). The project is implemented in the 19 districts of Kabalore, Hoima, Masindi, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Mpigi, Kiboga, Kalangala, Mityana, Lira, Amolatar, Agago, Soroti, Katakwi, Tororo, Arua, Nebbi, Koboko and Moyo covering 75 sub counties.In order to increase access to HIV Counselling and Testing services, SCIPHA is using innovative techniques like mobilizing individuals in market places. Andrew Yawe, the regional community engagement officer of SCIPHA in central region says the strategy of targeting people during market days was devised to enable more people have an opportunity of knowing their HIV results. “It is only after knowing your test results can you make an informed decision concerning your health,” added Yawe. “I am so happy that I got a free HIV test. When I came to sell, I realized that people were being tested for HIV.” Said Jalia. 27 year old Sumaya Nambalirwa, who had gone to the same market to buy baby clothes for her unborn baby, also ended up testing for HIV. Since she was due for an HIV test having taken the last one three months ago, Sumaya wouldn’t hide her excitement. “I usually have to spend 4,000 Uganda Shillings on boda boda transport to and fro Nkozi hospital just to get an HIV test, but today it has been brought nearer.” said the mother of five Before HCT services were provided in the markets, SCIPHA sub grantee Community AIDS Care worked with the Village Health Team members to first map out the dates and locations where the mobile market days are held. They then got permission from the local council leaders and local market authorities. With consent got, SCIPHA team identifies a place where they set up. The team ensures that there is room for conducting the HIV test as well as for pre and post test counseling. As the counseling and testing is going on, the VHTs work with the market authorities to mobilize people for services. A total of 389 people that had come to the mobile market in Rwenkoma received free HIV counseling and testing services.
SCIPHA PROJECT HELPS SUPPORT A DISCORDANT COUPLES
At 65 years of age, Joyce Nzoghera, a resident of Kahendero village in Bundibugyo District, never thought that she would get HIV. In December 2010, when she got persistent fever and an irritating cough, Joyce did not know what to make of it. “I hated my life because used to be sickly and my body was constantly covered with goose pimples,” she said. When Joyce heard a radio announcement about free HIV counseling and Testing services that were to be provided in her village, she decided to go for an HIV test. The free HIV testing services were being provided by Bundibugyo Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (BAWILHA) a sub grantee of the SCIPHA project.Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV & OVC Care (SCIPHA) Project. SCIPHA project is funded by Civil Society Fund and jointly being implemented by a consortium of Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) in 19 districts of Uganda. The project works through sub grantees to provide HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment and support services at community levels. Even after testing HIV positive, Joyce lived in denial. It took three tests before she accepted her results. “I did not accept my results until I made my third test because I thought at my age how could I get HIV” said Joyce. Her next challenge was how to disclose her status to her husband. However, through constant counseling from SCIPHA trained Village Health Team members Joyce got courage and disclosed her HIV status to her husband. Together with the Village Health Team members, Joyce encouraged her husband to test which he did. On taking the HIV test, Nzoghera was found HIV Negative. This therefore meant they were a discordant couple. HIV discordance is a situation where one partner is HIV negative while the other is HIV positive. According to the Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey 2011, 6 out of 100 couples in Uganda are in discordant relationships.
In addition, a 2008 Incidence modeling by Makerere University Infectious Disease Institute revealed that of all new HIV infections in adults (15-49yrs), 43% were among people in discordant monogamous relationships. With continuous counseling from Village health team members on how to live as a discordant couple, the Nzogheras accepted their situation. Currently, the Nzogheras are part of Kityo discordant couples group. This is a 16 member group located in Kikyo parish, Ngamba Sub County, Bundibugyo district. On a monthly basis, the members of this group meet to discuss and support each other to address issues related to HIV and discordance. During the group meetings, the couples receive information on discordant relationships. The HIV positive partners are also provided with condoms, mosquito nets, and CD4 count services. “Being part of the discordant couple club, I have learnt a lot. I even support her to take her drugs on time” said Mr. Nzoghera.
In addition to monthly meetings, peer educators or HIV positive village health team members schedule weekly meetings to the homes of the discordant couples. Before each home visits, the VHT prepares a topic of discussion which range from Antenatal care, postnatal care, Water and Sanitation to Adherence issues among others. They also prepare the Flip charts and any other relevant Behavioural Change Communication materials like posters and leaflets that they can share with the couple. During the home visit, the couples are counseled on the topic of the day and any issues that may have are addressed. Joyce’s word of advice to discordant couples is to think of the children. “Separation exposes children to suffering. It is better to accept your results, seek knowledge on how to live as discordant, be tolerant to one another and then fear God.’’ Zubeda Onzia looks on as her daughter Zainab’s blood sample being drawn. Zubeda and Zainab after receiving the good news. Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV & OVC Care (SCIPHA), is a project supported by the Civil Society Fund (CSF), has increased access to pediatric HIV services for children born to HIV positive mothers. Since 2011, SCIPHA has provided Pediatric HIV services in its 19 districts of operation. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), infants born to HIV positive mothers should undergo an HIV test at 4 to 6 weeks of age to establish whether their HIV status.
SCIPHA project is funded by Civil Society Fund (CSF), which is a basket fund comprising of United States Agency for International Development, United Kingdom Department for International Development, Irish Aid, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Danish International Development Agency. On top of EID, SCIPHA project provides HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment and support services in 19 districts. 34 year old Zubeda Onzia’s two and a half year old daughter Zainab was one of the beneficiaries of the service. In 2011, Zubeda was diagnosed with HIV while accessing Antenatal Care at Lobule Health centre III in Koboko district. After receiving counselling, she was immediately put on medication. When Zainab was born, she was tested for HIV at 6 months in Lobule Health centre III and found HIV negative. At 9 months Zainab was again taken to the same Health centre for an HIV test. The results were negative. The health workers informed Zubeda to return to the health centre when Zainab made one and a half years. Unfortunately for Zainab, she underwent a divorce and to leave her marital home and move back to her parent’s home in Nyeluwa Village, Midia parish, Midia Sub county, Koboko district. With the movement, came new costs like transport and unstable source of income. As a result, Zubeda could not take her daughter for the last HIV test. Her luck changed when a village health team member informed her that there was a team going to provide free HIV services in her village. Zubeda used the opportunity to have her daughter tested, Over a year later. Upon receiving her daughter’s HIV free result confirmation, Zubeda’s face broke out into a smile as she said. “I am so happy about my baby’s result and grateful for the team that has brought services here today.” Said Zubeda Since its inception in 2011, the SCIPHA project has conducted over 1000 Early Infant Diagnosis tests. The results are provided to the caretakers within an hour of taking the test.
SCIPHA Sets up free Condom Distribution points in busy public places VHT Lydia Remo and Charles Amaku the owner of Alio Deruku shop display some of the condoms that are freely distributed to youths. VHT Lydia Remo distributes condoms to boda boda cyclists. As a strategy to improve condom use among young people, Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment West Nile (RICE-WN), a sub grantee under Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV & OVC Care project (SCIPHA) project has established condom distribution points in busy public places like shops and bars. SCIPHA is funded by Civil Society Fund (CSF) a basket fund that consists of the United States Agency for International Development, United Kingdom Department for International Development, Irish Aid, Danish International Development Agency and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
Since the initiative begun in 2011, RICE-WN has set up 14 free condom distribution outlets in shops, boda boda cyclists’ stages and bars located near busy places. In order to choose a distribution point, RICE-WN staff work together with Village Health Team members to identify busy places that are frequented by couples and youths. The team then seeks the consent of the owners. Once they consent, a suitable place where the condoms can be stored and easily accessed is then identified. The Village Health Team members then popularize the condom outlets among the people they interact with. Each village health team member is also responsible stocking the condom outlets and using SCIPHA data tools to track the number of condoms distributed. Charles Amaku the owner of a Alio Deruku shop in Vurra town is one of the local residents whose shop is being used as a condom distribution outlet. Adjacent to his shop is a very busy bodaboda cyclist stage with over 30 cyclists. On a daily basis, Charles provides approximately 30 pieces of free condoms to the cyclists. “I don’t get paid to provide these condoms. I do it because I want to help prevent HIV/AIDS in my community.” says Amaku. Aitasi Zadoki a Boda Boda cyclist at Odianyadri stage adjacent to Charles’ shop is glad that through the initiative he has been able to access condoms and thus prevent both HIV and unintended pregnancies. Over 9000 pieces of condoms have been distributed this quarter from the condom distribution outlets.
