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Community and Structural-level Interventions to Reduce HIV-related Stigma: The Missing Components for Effective Biomedical Prevention. Dr. Madhumita Das ICRW . Engaging key populations is critical to the effectiveness of biomedical prevention.
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Community and Structural-level Interventions to Reduce HIV-related Stigma: The Missing Components for Effective Biomedical Prevention Dr. Madhumita Das ICRW
Engaging key populations is critical to the effectiveness of biomedical prevention Engaging key populations in HIV prevention efforts is a critical challenge
Stigma must be addressed at: • Multiple levels • Multiple target pops • Most interventions: • Attempt to shift individual attitudes • e.g. students, teachers, health care workers • Few seek community or societal-level norm shifts Source: Stangl, A., K. Fritz; L. Brady. Technical Brief: Measuring HIV stigma and discrimination. 2012. STRIVE
Two examples of community-level stigma-reduction interventions in India
PANCHAYAT-LED HIV RELATED STIGMA REDUCTION PROGRAM A Unique Model Developed in Nandi, Karnataka Nandi Grama Panchayat
Program Highlights Action against stigma and discrimination part of Panchayat Agenda Panchayat members and community leaders = ‘Stigma Busters’ Messages against stigma through games Created platforms for discussions between key populations, PLHIV and Panchayat Misperceptions of PLHIV reduced from 64% to 19% Awareness of HIV increased from 30% to 94% DAPCU and District Administration to replicate model
Key Lessons Source: Stigma Busters: Empowering and Enabling Local Governance to Work towards Stigma-free Gram Panchyat. Swasti Health Resource Centre and ICRW, 2013. • Importance of PRIs in stigma reduction efforts: • Panchayat members have great influence in the community and can be excellent role models • Pride, visibility and real role can be key drivers for leaders to commit to stigma reduction program. • Stigma activities can be mainstreamed within the regular GP activities (Grama Sabha, VHSC, Primary Health Center) • Lessons for working with PRIs: • Implementing organizations should be neutral; should not intervene in PRI internal affairs. • Take all stakeholders into consideration with patience and positive approach
Sex worker-led advocacy campaign in Bangalore • Led by 3 networks of sex workers covering entirety of Bangalore • Empowered WSW to challenge S&D via targeted advocacy • General population • Key stakeholders (e.g. police and HCWs) • 221 events aimed to sensitize about issues faced by WSW and PLHIV
Sex worker led advocacy campaign in Bangalore led to increases in: • HIV testing among network members • Number of HIV+ FSW seeking HIV services (from 497-794) • Enrolment in govt. ART centers (from 30% to 60%) Source: Stangl, A. et al. Tackling HIV-related stigma and discrimination in South Asia. 2010. The World Bank.
Indian government to integrate stigma-reduction framework into NACP-IV • UNDP supported 5 pilot projects • Global framework adapted to Indian context • Implementation guidelines developed Source: ICRW, UNDP, STRIVE. 2013.
Rigorous research needed to… • Assess the efficacy and effectiveness of community-level stigma reduction interventions • Particularly in the context of biomedical prevention approaches such as UTT, MMC, and PrEP • Understand the influence of national-level policies to reduce stigma and discrimination • How best to implement? • How best to scale-up multi-level stigma-reduction interventions?
Thank you! www.icrw.org http://strive.lshtm.ac.uk/ www.stigmaactionnetwork.com