MULU/MARPs HIV Prevention Program (2012–2018)

This program focused on Most at Risk Populations (MARPs), particularly female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and regions including Oromia, Afar, Somali, and Harari. Funded by USAID and implemented with Population Services International (PSI), the program included prevention, biomedical, and structural components:

• Prevention: Structured peer education delivered by trained peer educators.
• Biomedical: Seven Drop-In Centers (DICs) in major towns providing HCT services, later upgraded to deliver treatment for HIV-positive individuals.
• Structural: Formation of community saving groups and support networks.

The program reached over 10,000 individuals annually with HCT services, distributed more than three million male condoms per year, and contributed to UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 targets. Additional services included STI screening and treatment, family planning, TB, and gender-based violence interventions.

MULU Key and Priority Population Program

The follow-on MULU Key Population project, funded by PEPFAR-E/USAID and implemented with PSI, expanded to include adolescent girls, young women, and workers in large factories and mega projects. Unlike previous programs, it focused on placing HIV-positive individuals, particularly FSWs, at the center of the response, combining case finding, care, treatment, and differentiated prevention services.

Between February and November 2018, Pro Pride achieved:

• Training of 684 peer educators in basic and refresher courses
• Reaching 27,589 key and priority population through peer education
• Delivering integrated clinical services, including HTC, to 21,143 individuals
• Organizing 247 target groups into 23 saving groups under structural support

Integrated HIV Services for Key and Priority Populations (Global Fund Project)

Pro Pride, in partnership with ISHDO and under the Ministry of Health as the prime recipient, implemented the Integrated HIV Services for Key and Priority Populations in Community Drop-In Centers (DIC) Project. The project aimed to strengthen HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for key populations across Ethiopia.

Key achievements of the project include:

• Trained 17 nurses to provide clinical services at DICs
• Opened 9 Drop-In Centers (7 in Oromia Region and 2 in Central Ethiopia)
• Trained 45 peer educators to deliver community-based outreach and peer education sessions
• Delivered peer education sessions to 3,159 individuals, of whom 2,478 were tested for HIV

The project provided integrated, community-centered HIV services, linking prevention, testing, and care for key and priority populations, and strengthened local capacities to sustain services within the communities.