HIV- Prevention in Africa: Programs and Populations Served by Non- Governmental Organizations

The AIDS epidemic in AfÔca rem&ns an urgent health cri- sis. Non-governmental organizačons (NGOs) in AfHca play a cričcal role in the delivery of HN prevenüon service and assistance to persons liv- ing with AIDS. African NGOs are conducting numerous HN prevention programs wiŁ several at-rÚk populaüons, yet their efforts have only rarely been systemaücally documented. To address %is gap in the litem- ture, the authors surveyed one NGO in each of 29 African countries regarding their HIV prevenüon acüviżes and populażons served. This report proYdes details concerning HN prevenüon acüviües anoss the con�?nent and describes in detaü innovażve programs from Togo and Sou% Africa. NGOs in Ae present sample opemte wiOE modest budgets and small staff sizes, yet conduct programs that reach large segments of their communiües. NGOs were most likely to report community-level intervenüons such as peer-educačon or community ouFeach. Faced with an epidemic where the m&n transmission occurs via heterosexual activ- ity, African NGOs were most ûkely to direct their attenżon to the gen- eral public and to you%. NGOs in Africa are struggling to implement sustainable, cost-efŁecÔve programs wiOE few resowces. StrengŁening OEe infrastmctwe and capacity of these key agencies is crucial to fighting the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Biography :

Eric G. Benotsch, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in the 71 Rue des Filaos- Cité Tokoin Habitat BP in Togo Country.

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