Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2012 2013

Details for Mechanism ID: 14592
Country/Region: Burundi
Year: 2012
Main Partner: Population Services International
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: USDOD
Total Funding: $200,000

The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the reduction of HIV prevalence among the Burundi National Defense Forces (NDF) personnel and their families. This falls under the National Health Development Plan which highlights HIV prevention as one of the major areas of intervention over the next five years and under the National Strategic Plan for the Fight against HIV/AIDS. The project targets NDF personnel and their families. The number of military personnel and their family members represent a target population of about 100,000 persons. The project interventions will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health through its National AIDS Council (SEP/CNLS), the NDF health authorities, and other partners. Planned interventions aim to reduce the HIV prevalence among NDF personnel and their families through the accomplishment of four main results: 1) improved access to CT services; 2) improved access to condoms; 3) improved HIV prevention awareness; 4) reinforced NDF staff capacity to implement HIV prevention programs. To assure sustainability, the project will reinforce the capacity of the NDF and involving the SEP/CNLS in project implementation. A monitoring and evaluation plan will be developed to monitor the progress of the projects performance indicators which will include new generation PEPFAR indicators.Vehicles are needed to ensure effective and consistent condom management, distribution and monitoring at the intermediate and peripheral levels throughout the 5 military regions. They are also needed to implement and monitor other project activities. To that end, one vehicle will be purchased through the COP 12 budget to fulfill the needs partially covered by the two vehicles that will be purchased in FY 11.

Funding for Testing: HIV Testing and Counseling (HVCT): $100,000

Building on the effective collaboration with the NDF and the MOH, PSI/Burundi will continue supporting the NDF in its efforts to offer CT services to military personnel and their families at the fixed CT Akabanga® center located in Bujumbura in the first military region and through 3 mobile CT units throughout the 5 military regions.The number of military personnel in the country is estimated at about 30,000 people out of which the majority are 25-34 years old; the military personnel with their families represent a target population of about 100,000 persons who are spread all over the country in the 5 military regions. Each region is further divided into two brigades composed of six battalions for a total of 60 battalions throughout the country. Burundi is highly engaged in Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Troops moving to Somalia need to be sensitized on HIV prevention and HIV tested. Since February 2009, PSI/Burundi has offered CT services to peacekeepers. So far, about 8,000 peacekeepers have been tested prior to deployment to Somalia. During FY 12 this activity will be reinforced. Voluntary or systematic HIV testing will be accompanied by HIV prevention BCC activities which will be conducted through outreach awareness sessions, and production and distribution of IEC printed materials. During FY 10, PSI/Burundi conducted a total of 15 sessions using mobile video units, placed 1,000 posters throughout military camps, and distributed 4,000 leaflets and 1,000 t-shirts promoting CT services during awareness sessions. Concerning NDF care providers capacity building, 92 counselors and 10 lab technicians were trained during the previous phases of this project; during the FY 11 a total number of 46 counselors and the 10 lab technician received refresher training. This process will be completed during the FY 12 with a refresher training given to the remaining 46 counselors. During FY 12, about 12,300 clients will be HIV tested. Approximately 1,500 military personnel and their families will receive CT services at the fixed Akabanga center; 4,800 military personnel and their families will be HIV tested through mobile CT units throughout the 5 military regions in the country; and 6,000 peacekeepers (6 battalions to AMISOM) will be HIV tested prior to deployment to Somalia. Female peacekeepers will receive tailored counseling on reproductive health with a particular focus on family planning services in addition to CT services. The project will also promote HIV testing for couples. The project will collaborate with the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) and the military hospital to ensure quality of HIV tests and the provision of care and support services to clients who test HIV positive. The capacity of providers at the fixed Akabanga CT center will be reinforced to increase their ability to provide support and counseling to clients who test HIV positive. PSI/Burundi will also strengthen the referral system from CT services to providers services for HIV positive clients. CT services will not only be supported by BCC activities but will also be accompanied by condom distribution as well as the distribution of IEC materials. The monitoring system will align with the existing national monitoring system defined by the PSNLS 2012-2016 and by the NDF HIV strategic plan. Care providers will be trained to correctly and consistently use existing tools. Data will be collected on a monthly basis.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $100,000

Prevention of HIV sexual transmission through free condom distribution and behavior change communication (BCC) is an important component of the U.S. DoD HIV program. Condom distribution was introduced to the DOD/DHAPP project during FY 11 in response to the gap left in Burundi by the phasing out of the World Bank program and the cancellation of the GF Round 11 grant cycle. The target population of these interventions for HIV sexual prevention (HVOP) includes military personnel and their families living in the five military regions and military troops involved in the Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia. BCC interventions, mainly interpersonal communication (IPC) activities are important. According to a study conducted by the SEP/CNLS, in 2011 only 32.7% of military personnel know HIV prevention methods and reject rumors/misconceptions related to VIH transmission. The same study reported low condom use among military personnel: only 19.5% used a condom during their first sexual intercourse and 55, 6% during the last sexual act with a commercial partner. These findings corroborate the results from the PSI TRaC study conducted in 2009 which showed a level of 46% for consistent condom use among military with occasional partners compared to 23% in 2007. The condom distribution component added to this project will contribute to increased condom use. PSI/Burundi will train 240 peer educators and 80 military focal persons in HIV prevention messages, IPC techniques and condom promotion, management and distribution. A monitoring system will be put in place with appropriate monitoring tools. Supervision visits in the military camps will be conducted on a regular basis.

Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $60,000
Gender: Reducing Violence and Coercion $10,000
Human Resources for Health $50,000
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Addressing male norms and behaviors
Military Populations
Tuberculosis
Family Planning