SRH and HIV/AIDS Linkages at Policies, Programmes and Service ...

BANGLADESHCAMBODIANEPALPHILIPPINESto know about HIV and have accessto information for SRH servicesincluding HIV information in theprogramme.Conclusion andRecommendationsSRH and HIV/AIDS linkedprogrammes and services can work moreeffectively if they encompass notions ofintegration, collaboration, coordinationand independent action. Furthermorethe linkage will also help to achievethe aim of RH and HIV/AIDS in thecountry because the majority of HIVinfections are sexually transmitted orassociated with pregnancy, childbirthand breastfeeding. The risk of HIVtransmission and acquisition can beincreased by the presence of sexuallytransmitted infections. Again SR illhealthand HIV share root causes,including poverty, harmful gender/cultural norms, rights violations,inequality and social marginalisationand criminalisation of the mostvulnerable populations. There is also alack of availability and accessibility toSRH services and HIV counselling andtesting, along with HIV/AIDS relatedstigma and discrimination prevalentin the society. Therefore linking SRH,HIV and rights interventions canimprove access to and uptake of services,provide better care in a more integratedway, challenge the social factors thatinfluence SRH and HIV, reduce stigmaand strengthen rights-based policiesand laws.There are several linkages between HIVand SRH services that will virtuallyeliminate mother-to-child HIVtransmission, provide an ideal platformto deliver the entire recommendedminimum package of antenatal,maternal, child health and reproductivehealth services.This would ensure that pregnant womenare not only offered HIV screening,but that they and their partnersare also offered services to preventHIV and other sexually transmittedinfections, unwanted pregnancies andsexual violence. PMTCT services toANC services could be another majorbreakthrough in the area of linkingthe two programmes. A concreteinstitutional commitment is essentialto HIV/AIDS including SRH issues.Here are some recommendations thatwill help to overcome the challenges:There should be meaningfulparticipation of differentstakeholders, through analysis of thefindings, development of a commonvision, identification of acceptablestrategies and also programmemanagement.There is a need to develop anapproach that will be more peoplecenteredwith a multi-sectoralplanning and decision makingprocess that increases access toresources.Scale up behavioural change activitiesand health promotion interventionsfor high-risk behaviours andvulnerable groups, particularly IDUsand sex workers.Expand advocacy and awarenessamong the general populationthrough multi-sectoral agencies.32