EpiC Semi-Annual Report (FY21 Q1-Q2 October 2020 to March 2021)

The project implemented various interventions, including HIV testing services (HTS), linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and community ART. EpiC Tanzania developed and implemented a surge plan in January to improve overall HIV prevention, care, and treatment cascade outcomes. The surge plan focused on intensifying HIV case finding among KVPs through index testing, mobile HIV testing, moonlight services, Enhanced Peer Outreach Approach (EPOA), and HIV self-testing (HIVST). As a result, the project observed a significant improvement in case identification, with a 44% increase from 19.4% in the first quarter to 44% of annual targets during the semi-annual reporting period. The project also reported an optimum HIV index testing rate of 95%, with about 95% of HIV-positive clients being elicited for HIV testing. EpiC Tanzania continued to participate in joint supportive supervisions and mentorship of service providers with local government officers across all eight regions. The project engaged in discussions with six civil society organizations (CSOs) to identify areas for capacity development support related to compliance with and management of US Government funding. The discussions led to the creation of capacity development plans. The project achieved significant results in various areas, including HIV testing services, linkage to care and treatment services, and provision of family planning (FP) services. A total of 99,750 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) were reached with HIV prevention interventions, achieving 52% of the annual target. The project also tested 14,086 AGYW, with 382 identified as HIV positive and 275 enrolled in care and treatment services. In addition, the project provided FP services to 15,886 AGYW, with 9,715 receiving pills, 3,643 injectables, and 2,528 implants. A total of 24,290 male condoms and 316 female condoms were distributed among 8,202 AGYW. The project also achieved significant results in HIV self-testing, with 56,276 HIVST kits distributed, achieving 42% of the annual target. The project scaled up PrEP services in four new regions, with a total of 108 Health Care Workers (HCWs) and 87 peers trained using the national PrEP training curriculum. A total of 4,455 KVPs were initiated to PrEP services, achieving 21% of the annual target. The project also continued to refill PrEP for 4,654 KVPs across seven regions. The DREAMS initiative was scaled up in Mufindi District Council, with the recruitment and orientation of new CSO staff for implementation. The project trained seven empowerment workers on economic strengthening and eight peers on social behavior change and communication (SBCC) curriculum in Mufindi DC. A total of 535 WORTH groups were formed, with cumulative savings of 473,579,400 TZS ($205,904) in all six sub-national units (SNUs). The project also trained 2,637 AGYW on entrepreneurship skills in Shinyanga. The project reached 16,968 community members with the Start Awareness Support Action (SASA) approach in Shinyanga region for gender norms change. The project conducted peer audits among peer educators to assess their capacity to continue working with the project. A total of 388 peer educators were assessed, with 27 dropped due to poor performance and age. New peers (36) were recruited and trained to strengthen the workforce for the implementation of AGYW interventions. The training capacitated peers to effectively implement interventions, increasing the total number of peer educators to 101.