HIV Prevention Services, Capacity Building Assistance And Evaluation Activities For High-Risk, Underserved Populations In The RSA Under PEPFAR
Abstract
Globally, KPs have been shown to be at disproportionate risk for HIV infection. HIV prevalence within these populations tends to be higher in areas where same-sex behaviours, drug use and sex work are criminalized, and where appropriate actions addressing their specific health needs are absent. High levels of prejudice and moral loading has been shown to create barriers to accessing prevention, treatment, care and support ??? increasing vulnerability to HIV. On the contrary, the uptake, access and utilisation of services focusing on these key, marginalized populations is significantly better within environments where non-discriminatory services are provided and legal frameworks and policy provide enabling environments.
Much focus has been placed on the high HIV prevalence among women and youth in South Africa. Yet, local evidence shows that KPs are also greatly affected by HIV, and proportional to the size of these populations account for a disproportionate amount of new HIV infections ??? indicating that HIV preventions to date have not reached and benefited these individuals
