2012 International AIDS Conference: Where the Tide Will Turn: How is Community Level Participation Most Effective in Turning The Tide?

Organized by PEPFAR and AIDSTAR-One, the session presented practical examples from Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda demonstrating the critical role of community participation in improving service delivery programs and achieving program targets. Presentations highlighted the positive impacts of community participation on people living with HIV (PLHIV) and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), including increased access to services. The session was attended by approximately 150 people, who learned from existing models and participated in a Call to Action. The session was recorded and is available on the AIDSTAR-One website. Community mobilization can substantially reduce HIV/STI risk among female sex workers (FSW). In Malawi, a community-based treatment adherence program, Kheth'Impilo (KI), demonstrated the effectiveness of community involvement in improving treatment adherence among people living with HIV. The program showed that community-based treatment adherence programs can be an effective way to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of HIV transmission. In South Africa, the TASO's experience with community involvement highlighted the importance of community participation in improving HIV care and support services. The program demonstrated that community-based initiatives can be effective in improving access to HIV care and support services, particularly for marginalized populations. Household economic strengthening leads to improved care for most vulnerable children. In Malawi, a program promoting HIV prevention through stimulation of community vibrancy and self-efficacy demonstrated the effectiveness of community-based initiatives in improving HIV prevention outcomes. The program showed that community-based initiatives can be effective in improving HIV prevention outcomes, particularly in rural areas. The question-and-answer session that followed the presentations highlighted the importance of capturing and utilizing evidence, paying for the community response, and compensation of community health workers. The session also emphasized the need for scale-up versus quality of care and support, and the importance of investments in community-based initiatives. The session concluded with a Call to Action, which emphasized the need for increased investment in community-based initiatives and the importance of community participation in achieving HIV/AIDS program targets. The Call to Action also highlighted the need for research and evaluation to inform community-based initiatives and improve program outcomes.