Family AIDS Caring

Trust Project Title: Strengthening HIV & SRHR Service

Uptake by Youths in Zimbabwe Project Reference #:

IMP 129

Project Operational Areas:

Manicaland & Mashonaland West Provinces in Zimbabwe

Target Group: Young people aged 10 - 24 Contact Person: Gertrude Shumba

Executive Director gshumba@fact.org.zw or gertieshumba@yahoo.com Tel: +263 20 66015/61648 or +263772514406

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1. Introduction

This summary report is aimed at updating and sharing progress FACT has made in the

implementation of the Sexual Reproductive Health programme for young people aged 10 –

24 years in five rural districts of Zimbabwe. Implementation of the project has been

intensified in this second year after the inception activities which included setting up of

structures and systems for its smooth roll out. The report clearly shows how two of the

three approaches adopted in the project which are Join-in circuit (JIC), Sista2Sista Girls only

clubs are being used to mobilise young people for access to SRH information and services in

their local communities.

2. Young People Motivated to Participate in Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH)

Adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe are a unique

group that is not easily dragged into discussion of sensitive

issues including HIV and STIs. FACT has made strides and

penetrated into this group with the use of the JIC

methodology https://youtu.be/cJ8pzxDL8io

About FACT

A pioneer and leader in HIV response in Zimbabwe, Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) was founded in

1987. It is a leading registered national HIV and development organisation directly implementing

interventions across the country as well as through sub-granting agreements with local partners. FACT

programming focuses on HIV prevention, care and treatment, Health, protection of Orphans and

vulnerable children, and livelihoods thematic areas. We have been in existence since 1987 and

since our formation close to 30 years ago, we have made enormous contributions to national and

regional response to HIV and AIDS through direct service provision to local communities. We have

significantly contributed to the body of knowledge through important WHO commissioned researches

such as the Eliminating Paediatric AIDS in Zimbabwe whose preliminary findings were shared at the

global ICASA conference in Harare in December 2015. We have been instrumental in formation and

capacity building of Community Based Organisations (CBOs). Regionally, across Eastern and Southern

Africa, FACT has over the years of its existence supported more than forty CBOS in over 15

countries to build sustainable programs, finances, and human resources base. For more details follow

the link http://www.fact.org.zw

JIC as a peer to peer

Behaviour Change

Communication tool

combining games,

pictorial aids, role plays,

discussions and

demonstrations to

promote dialogue about

HIV and other SRH topics

and creates demand for

services.

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Graph below presents the total number of young people reached in and out of school with

JIC in the reporting period:-

Out of school JIC session

In school JIC session

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Males

Females

Total

Target

2335

2218

4553

3125

Number Reached

Access to information through JIC

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Participants at various stations during JIC run

Pre and post test is administered to assess the SRH knowledge of participants. On average

from the runs conducted and the sample that wrote the pre and post tests knowledge level

after the JIC runs was at 87%. Generally, young people have the information but are not

sharing because of lack of such platforms to do so.

JIC participants SRH knowledge assessed through pre and post test

Complimentary to SRH information is the provision of voluntary HIV Testing Services (HTS)

during JIC runs. Young people have accessed the service without having to incur costs. It is

just after receiving information and one is made to make an informed decision regarding

their health. Access to the service has been made voluntary as is guided by the national

policy.

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Number Of Young People Who Accessed HTS During JIC Run

Young people access HIV testing services during a JIC run

In the sites where the service was provided, it was observed that young people are very

much willing to be tested. Of interest is the low positivity rate among the target group.

Referral of those who tested positive was done to their local health facilities for access to

services.

3. Girls and Women a Special Population Increased vulnerability of women and girls has made them become more susceptible to HIV

and STI. The girl child has been characterised by school dropout, early marriages and being

victims of Gender based violence. Sista2Sista approach has helped mobilise young women

and girls in their local communities and established girls only clubs where they come

together to discuss and pursue activities in building social awareness, increasing social

aptitude and improving sexual knowledge. The intervention is targeted at developing more

0

500

1000

1500

2000

Males Females Total Target

372 384

756

1821.2

Nu

mb

er

Re

ach

ed

Access to HTS 17% of the young people who were reached through JIC managed to access HTS and got their results

Positivity rate amongst the young people tested was at 0.4%

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responsible and assertive girls, who delay sexual debut, proceed with education and access

sexual and reproductive health services.

Sista2Sista Clubs Established to Date

Girls Enrolled In S2S Clubs to Date

Establishment of girls clubs is still ongoing in some locations. Girls are benefitting from the

sessions resulting in them opening up on emotional and physical abuse that is happening to

them. Referrals are being made for relevant assistance including services. Sanitary wear is

provided to girls with need who are enrolled in the clubs. This has helped them to manage a

stressful situation every woman goes through on a monthly basis.

123 135

S2S Clubs

S2S Girls Clubs Total

S2S Girls Clubs Target

2834

3375

S2S Girls Enrolled

S2S Girls Clubs Total

S2S Girls Clubs Target

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Sista2sista club members during sessions

4. Conclusion

FACT acknowledges the support from DFID which is impacting positively on the lives of

vulnerable adolescents and young people in rural Zimbabwe.

Upcoming Establishment

of Youth Friendly Corners

Support groups for Adolescents and young people living with HIV