Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2012 2013

Details for Mechanism ID: 14382
Country/Region: Angola
Year: 2012
Main Partner: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: University
Funding Agency: USDOD
Total Funding: $1,300,000

Angola is a post-conflict country recovering from a prolonged civil war, which ended2002. According to the recent report of Angola National Aids Institute (INLS) the national prevalence is about 2% and the military is among the most at risk populations in Angola. The US DoD has been partnering with the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) on a prevention program since 2002 through the DoD funded implementing partner Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, California (CDU).CDU collected data about HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among Angolan military personnel in four locations throughout the country in 2003, gaining much-needed information to guide prevention efforts. The results of the 2003 BSS showed that the infection rate in the Angolan Military was approximately 3.6%. The results also showed higher infection rates in the capital and cities along the Angolan border and very low rates in the center of the country where people have remained fairly isolated.Over the past eight years, the DoD through CDU, has provided technical assistance to the Angola HIV prevention Program and capacity has been built whereby the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) deliver services and implement activities throughout the 6 military regions (Luanda, Centre, South, North, East, and West) with the support from CDU. The main programmatic activities include setting up VCT centers, training of health providers in HIV counseling/Testing, prevention with positives and peer education.

Funding for Health Systems Strengthening (OHSS): $620,000

With FY12 funds the USG through DOD funded partner will continue to strengthen the psychosocial support program in the Military by training health providers in ARV treatment, clinical mentoring and positive living education and HIV counseling.

Technical assistance will be provided to the military in data management, laboratory and clinical mentoring. Focus will also be placed upon supervision of social workers, VCT staff and psychologists with reference to follow up on infected personnel and increase adherence.

4 Military physicians will be selected to attend an advanced training on ARV treatment in San Diego.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Abstinence/Be Faithful (HVAB): $80,000

CDU will provide technical assistance to the FAA for the training and supervision of HIV activists in AB at the Brigade level while focus will be put on supervision of trained activists at the regional level. Military personnel will be trained in peer education techniques related to HIV prevention, transmission, and testing. Plans are undergoing to allow the activists located in different military regions to send monthly reports about activities conducted to the FAA Health Division in Luanda. CDU will assist the FAA to create prevention culturally focused messages, radio scripts and materials that directly target military commanders, enlisting their support to help facilitate positive prevention messages among their soldiers. Advocacy is increasingly an important activity of CDU to motivate the FAA to create sustainable prevention activities and programs.

Funding for Testing: HIV Testing and Counseling (HVCT): $300,000

Through CDU the USG aims at expanding the testing and counseling services throughout the military regions. And these efforts of implementation and expansion of VCT services will continue. Scale-up of VCT coverage in the military will be accomplished by expanding the number of VCT clinics up to the brigade level. With other funds from Global Funds and World Bank (Hamset project) the FAA has currently 18 operational VCT clinics out of which 6 are currently PEPFAR funded. All these VCT are equipped with internet facilities permitting the personnel to send monthly reports to the FAA health Division HQ in Luanda. Supervision will be conducted to ensure that VCT staff sends reports on a timely fashion.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $300,000

Based on the recent SADC Military HIV conference held in Luanda as from Sept 27-29, 2011 a survey conducted in the Military revealed that the consistent use of condoms is still low (40%) thus there is need to intensify these interventions. Through the USAID contraceptive mechanism the USG will continue to explore ways to provide the Military with condoms and at the same educational activities (BCC) will be intensified in order to promote the use of condoms.

The USG through CDU will continue t support the prevention efforts in supporting the Angolan Armed Forces radio program aired on the National Radio once a week with the aim to reach more military personnel by continuing and expanding program activities. Activists working on the FAA Health radio program will be equipped through refresher training with skills to improve the studio recording activities

Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $750,000
Gender: Reducing Violence and Coercion $150,000
Human Resources for Health $600,000
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Addressing male norms and behaviors
Military Populations