RISK FACTORS FOR TRANSMISSION; MEASURES FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL; TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT OF HIV/AIDS INDIVIDUALS IN SOUTH SUDAN; USING SOUTH SUDAN HIV/AIDS STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Abstract

The national AIDS response of South Sudan is coordinated by the South Sudan HIV and AIDS Commission (SSAC) that was established in 2006 by a presidential decree. The mandate of SSAC is to coordinate the development of policy frameworks and strategies for curbing and combating the spread of HIV. SSAC works closely with the Division of HIV/AIDS whose mandate is to develop health sector response to HIV/AIDS by ensuring the accessibility of quality, equitable HIV prevention services, treatment, care and support for the people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. With leadership from SSAC and the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) developed the Southern Sudan HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework (SSHASF 2008-2012) which is currently driving HIV/AIDS response in the country. The strategic framework comprehensively addresses HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support services in the post-conflict context, with an overall goal of reducing HIV transmission and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS through improvement of the quality of life of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The SSHASF clearly articulates the need for targeting specific populations in a multi-sectoral response: women and girls, youth, sex workers, orphans and vulnerable children. Also outlined in the SSHASF is an HIV policy for other specific vulnerable population settings such as the workplace, schools and prisons. SSAC and MOH have developed a number of guidelines and policy documents in the past few years, including: HIV/AIDS Behavior Change and Communication (BCC) strategy (2008), HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework (2008), Guidelines for Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) use in adults and children (Revised 2010), Guidelines for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) (2008), Guidelines for Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission (PMTCT) 2010, National Condom Strategy. With permission from SSAC chairperson, Dr. Esterina Novello, I have participated with the National HIV/AIDS Response Division to do my field experience as follows: Reviewed HIV/AIDS strategic framework for prevention and control and conducted a field work; reviewed the strategic framework for HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support for infected and affected individuals and conducted a field work; reviewed and fully understood the risk factors for transmission and continuing spread of HIV/AIDS among the South Sudanese people.