The Tanzania Youth Alliance (TAYOA) is implementing programs to support HIV prevention, care, and treatment efforts in Tanzania. TAYOA aims to contribute to the national goal of reduction of HIV prevalence among 15-24 years old from currently 2.4% to 1.2% by 2015. TAYOA engages young people and adults in the process of developing appropriate HIV interventions and communications for young people and the general public in accordance with the Health Sector HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan II (2008-2012) (HSHSP).

PEPFAR supports TAOYA for two programs, with additional complementary support being provided by URT as well as private sector telecommunications companies. Technical assistance (TA) and quality assurance is built into the project and provided by US-based behavioral scientists. The two programs are:

(1) A comprehensive HIV prevention outreach program for youth 14-24 years old, implemented in three regions (Dar es Salaam, Pwani, and Tanga) though a network of youth balozi (youth ambassadors) to reach youth in- and out-of-school with structured individual and small group level interventions. An outcome evaluation for this program is currently underway; and

(2) TAYOA operates a National AIDS Helpline and SMS service. The coverage of the helpline service is nationwide and over the past year the helpline received around 1 million calls. Aside from provision of information about HIV/AIDS, the helpline has a built in referral HIV service database. Aside from calls from the general public and youth, TAYOA has started to provide online counseling for key populations, such as people who use or inject drugs, men who have sex with men, as well as survivors of gender-based violence. the helplne will also be used for demand creation of VMMC and CHCT scale up

In response to new prevention guidance, Tayoa is positioned itself to help create demand for MC services among adults in the target regions.. The main geographical coverage areas will be Kagera Mainland and the Lake Victoria Islands, with 55% estimated coverage of MC in Kagera Region, Shinyanga, Mwanza and the southern highlands.

Since the main modality in reaching adult men for MC services is through campaigns, Tayoa plans to promote MC Services to adult male callers and send tailor made promotion sms to people in the target areas.

MC will be part and parcel of Tayoas comprehensive package for HIV prevention which entails risk reduction counseling, referrals for STI screens and treatment, HIV counseling and testing, and MC counseling. Sexual partners of MC clients will be encourage to attend MC services for educational purposes and HIV testing and counseling. For MC client who are found to be HIV positive, Tayoa will assist them and directly link to an HIV care and treatment clinic through a formal referral process.

Using the National Helpline Services and free SMS services, TAYOA will play a vital role in supporting demand creation and promotion of HVCT services especially CHCT. Caller will be encouraged to test for HIV and AIDS together with their partners as well as users of free sms services. Tayoa plans to collaborate with direct providers of HIV testing and counseling (HTC) services in the respective regions to identify gaps that inhibit the optimal uptake of services. For FY 2012, the projects goal will be to scale up existing HTC services and reach about 100,000 people in the selected districts. Under the coordination of MOHSW, Tayoa will participate to accelerate the couples HTC services within eight high prevalence regions, including Dar es Salaam and Shinyanga regions.

Likewise Communities will be mobilized through trained faith outreach workers who will promote HTC services. Tayoa aims to strengthen outreach services with special emphasis on mobilization of couples, using nationally developed promotional materials. The following activities will be implemented:

(1) Publicity and Message Dissemination: Tayoa will utilize communication and promotional materials developed and designed for couples. If necessary, adaptation to the regional or local context can be made.

(2) Helpline services will be used for community mobilization and dissemination of information about general HTC services available as well as couples HTC;

(3) SMS will be developed to encourage couple to test for HIV and AIDS regularly

(4) Referral for Care and Positive Health Dignity and Prevention (PHDP): TAYOA will work on strengthening post-test follow up facilitated by institutions.

The Tanzania Youth Alliance (TAYOA) is implementing programs to support HIV prevention, care and treatment efforts in Tanzania. PEPFAR supports TAOYA for technical components of two programs, though additional complementary support is provided by URT as well as private sector telecommunications companies. Technical assistance (TA) and quality assurance (QA) is built into the project and provided by in-country CDC TA and US-based behavioral scientists supporting and visiting the project approximately three times a year. The two programs are:

(1) A comprehensive HIV prevention outreach program for youth 14-24 years old, implemented in the three regions of Dar es Salaam, Pwani, and Tanga. . An outcome evaluation for this program is currently being implemented as baseline data collection and analysis has been completed and mid-term data collection is being prepared. The evaluation will be completed in FY 2012 where findings will be shared and disseminated with government and other HIV stakeholders. In FY 2012, the program plans to establish 800 new Youth Balozi Clubs with approximately 25 members within a group who will meet on a weekly basis. TAYOA supports availability and access to male and female condoms and promotes the correct and consistent utilization of condoms through youth friendly condom outlets in 100 hot spot neighborhoods.

(2) TAYOA operates a National 117 AIDS Helpline and 15017 SMS service, of which a portion HVOP supports. The coverage of the helpline service is nationwide and over the past year the helpline received around 1 million calls. Aside from provision of information about HIV and AIDS, the helpline has a built in referral database that allows helpline counselors to identify and refer callers to HIV services located nearest to the site of their call. Aside from calls from the general public and youth, TAYOA has trained helpline counselors and started to provide additional online counseling for particular groups and key populations, such as people who use or inject drugs (PWUD & PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as survivors of gender-based violence. The SMS service, which was established in FY 2011, aims to reach approximately 100,000 subscribers in Tanzania. The Helpline and SMS platform will increase linkages with the HIV care and treatment program by providing food and nutrition information; support treatment adherence for PLHIVs using SMS reminders for clients to take their medication as prescribed while reinforcing benefits of their medication in prolonging their lives; prevent their partners from getting infected (in the case of discordant couples); and help clients to identify side effects and adverse events that may require medical attention. The Helpline team presents and shares information about changes in information that occur over time with other HIV stakeholders to inform communications programs implemented by other partners.

TAYOA's budget and activities affect:

MSM: (1) $ 150,000 (2) coverage approximately 10,000 MSM will be reached (3) activity - outreach activities using peer educators, sms services to subscribed MSM and helpline services

Other: (1) $466,045 (2) coverage approximately 100,000 people to be reached and provide services to 200 condom outlets (3) activity - helpline counseling and sms services to clients of sex workers, survivor of gender based violence, people living with HIV, discordant couples