After years of partnering with the Ministry of Health to reduce the transmission of HIV in Guyana, prevalence remains high in the hardest to reach most at risk populations. To address this, USAID/GHARP II looked for new methodologies and approaches that could be employed to reach people with prevention information and encourage them to access HIV testing and other services. In 2011, GHARP II worked with several NGOs to pilot new approaches, including social networking and reaching popular opinion leaders. During the end of the year, preparations began for an assessment among sex workers to provide information on the use of condoms and barriers that can inform behavior change approaches.
This report outlines the major activities and achievements of the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) Project (2004-09). The report includes a preface by Guyana's Minister of Health and chapters that address what GHARP did to ensure reliable strategic information and health information systems, build organizational and institutional capacity, and engage the private sector in the response; provide structured behavior change programs for groups most at risk, disseminate condoms to them, and improve and increase access to voluntary counseling and HIV testing; strengthen and increase access to services that prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV; and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on adults and children.
After years of partnering with the Ministry of Health to reduce the transmission of HIV in Guyana, prevalence remains high in the hardest to reach most at risk populations. To address this, USAID/GHARP II looked for new methodologies and approaches that could be employed to reach people with prevention information and encourage them to access HIV testing and other services. In 2011, GHARP II worked with several NGOs to pilot new approaches, including social networking and reaching popular opinion leaders. During the end of the year, preparations began for an assessment among sex workers to provide information on the use of condoms and barriers that can inform behavior change approaches.