HIV/TUBERCULOSIS

As access to the internet expands in countries where we work, PSI is capitalizing on popular social media and messaging platforms to engage users. PSI has adapted face-to-face outreach for the web in the form peer outreach workers (aka cyber educators) trained to identify, inform and engage at-risk individuals within targeted populations using social media and provide referrals to services such as HIV testing.

In 2018, only 79% of people living with HIV knew that they had been infected, often because they lacked access to HIV testing services or didn’t want to visit a clinic. HIV self-testing is helping to overcome these barriers by giving people a discreet and convenient way to learn their HIV status. PSI works with stakeholders such as manufacturers, policymakers and donors to make self-test kits available and identify the most effective models of distributing test kits and linking users to on-going care.

Those newly diagnosed with HIV are often reluctant to disclose their status to their sexual partners. PSI carefully designs and implements culturally sensitive approaches to assisted partner notification to help our clients communicate with their partners and children and ensure that everyone at risk for infection is tested. By considering local norms about communicating sensitive information we build trust with our clients to tackle this challenging dialogue.

Circumcision reduces a man’s risk of acquiring HIV by as approximately 60% and can also protect his female sexual partners from cervical cancer. Persuading men to accept the procedure can be challenging, however. PSI works with market researchers to understand men’s journey from learning about voluntary medical male circumcision to accepting the procedure and develops tailored messaging designed to address their concerns.

People at high risk for HIV such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender women and people who inject drugs face significant barriers to HIV services due to discrimination, criminalization and restrictive policies. PSI makes HIV prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment available at drop-in centers in order to make services available in locations that are convenient and safe for the target population.