Project Summary
Despite significant global progress, HIV/AIDS remains a major public health challenge—particularly for key and priority populations (KPPs). In Ethiopia, approximately 600,000 people live with HIV, with women, youth, and marginalized communities bearing the brunt of the epidemic.
To address this, Pro Pride, in partnership with ISHDO (Sub-Recipient of the Global Fund via the Ministry of Health), launched this project in February 2025 to provide comprehensive, community-based HIV services in nine hotspot towns/woredas of Oromia and Central Ethiopia Regions.
Objectives
- Increase access to HIV services for KPPs through nine Drop-In Centers (DICs)—safe, stigma-free, and welcoming.
- Establish strong referral networks linking clients to essential services such as ART, PrEP, and PEP.
- Enhance service effectiveness via robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms.
Key Implementation Strategies
- Drop-In Center (DIC) Setup:
Pro Pride identified hotspot locations with Woreda Health Offices and established nine DICs equipped with staff and materials tailored for KPPs. - Mapping & Outreach:
Conducted KPP mapping to understand population size and dynamics. Outreach teams provide HIV prevention packages to FSWs, AGYW, and other at-risk groups. - Referral Systems:
Ensured direct linkage to ART, PrEP, and PEP services where not available in the DICs—partnering with local clinics and hospitals. - Community Engagement:
Mobilized communities and engaged stakeholders in project planning and implementation to foster trust and sustainability. - Monitoring & Evaluation:
Organized regular supportive supervisions, biannual review meetings with stakeholders, and used feedback for adaptive planning.
Target Groups
- Female sex workers
- (FSWs) Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW)
- PLHIV and their partners
- HIV-negative partners in serodiscordant couples
- Mobile/resident workers in hotspot areas