Kampala Key, Vulnerable and Priority Populations (KVP) News

Savas Abadsidis and Cole Hayes  in their article titled:  Transgender Men's HIV and PrEP Needs Are Not Being Met in a magazine called Plus of February 26th 2018, find that  studies should separate trans men from cis women, only then can we start peeling fully addressing the the disparity that continues to be faced by Transgender.  For more see below: Underscoring what various trans male activists have argued,  a study  reveals that HIV-positive trans men (FTM) have significant unmet social and healthcare  needs    says  Research and Study . Approximately half were living in poverty and only 60 percent had sustained viral suppression. “Many transgender men receiving HIV medical care in the United States face socioeconomic challenges and suboptimal health outcomes,” write the authors. “Although these transgender men had access to HIV medical care, many experienced poor health outcomes and unmet needs.” Over two-third...

Tags: Outcome-based services, HIV, Language  A friend asked me to point out crucial relations between the language we use as we provide effective healthcare services in particular for People living with HIV. I suggested it was no less a language thing as much as it is mobilizing beneficiaries and providers around ensuring delivery of services that promote healthy outcomes. These can be the beginnings of a policy change itself. Social marketing, media advocacy and community organizing can be used to promote meaningful involvement of people living with HIV (PLHIV).  It can be made an effective empowerment mechanism in giving feedback on how PLHIV are impacted by outcome-based services they require e.g., health care;  medication, housing, communication; and modernization of policy. There are inbuilt advantages for using outcome based indicators including cultural competency as some scholars such as Bentacourt J.R. 2005 put it, when tackling stigma and improving the qu...

In Uganda, like in other African countries grappling with HIV, the gay population is disproportionately burdened by HIV. The situation is made worse by contexts of valorized Heterosexuality, pathologized homoerotic experiences, little studied LGBT diversities and country based HIV Prevention impacted upon by laws penalizing same-sex eroticism.   When asked how this is so, Tom Muyunga-Mukasa, the Chief Executive Officer of Most At Risk Populations’ Society ( MARPS in Uganda ), one of the oldest Health rights organizations in Uganda, said the following: “Strengthened, more focused, and innovative efforts to address HIV-care disparities in LGBT demographies (minorities) is still an uphill task . However, Most At Risk Populations’ Society in Uganda ( MARPS in Uganda) has attempted to understand how each subgroup engages in day-to-day life long activities. It is our hope that this will then inform health seeking practices as well as provide a broad sweep of life-...

A study by Most At Risk Populations' Society in Uganda (MARPS in Uganda) finds that  Knowledge of different HIV care options is basis for informed decisions for quality self-care for Transgender persons enrolled in a PrEP  programme between 2016-2018.  Lack of this proper knowledge makes it harder for Transgender to use, promote, access prevention and treatment benefits. This is the origin of lack of optimal access and equity. In a report generated from 120 respondents it was discovered that the majority did not receive full knowledge On PrEP use.  PrEP is a daily pill to be taken consistently and reduces the risk of acquiring HIV by over 90%. It requires addition use of protection with partner of unknown HIV status, use by HIV-negative and in an ongoing sexual relationship with an HIV-positive partner, for one who has had anal sex without using a condom or been diagnosed with an STD in the past 6 months, regular clinic attendance for viral load testing...