Global public health
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Global public health · Jan 2010
Implementation effects of GFATM-supported HIV/AIDS projects on the health sector, civil society and affected communities in Peru 2004-2007.
The emergence of opportunities for support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) for HIV-related projects has so far generated funding of over US$75 million for three proposals in Peru. The size of this investment creates the need for close monitoring to ensure a reasonable impact. This paper describes the effects of collaboration with the GFATM on key actors involved in HIV-related activities and on decision-making processes; on health sector divisions; on policies and sources of financing; on equity of access; and on stigma and discrimination of vulnerable and affected populations. ⋯ GFATM-funded activities have required significant input from the public sector, sometimes beyond the capacity of its human resources. A significant increase in HIV funding, in absolute amounts and in fractions of the total budget, has been observed from several sources including the National Treasury, and it is unclear whether this has implied reductions in the budget for other priorities. Patterns of social exclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS are diverse: children and women are more valued; while transgender persons and sex workers are often excluded.
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Global public health · Jan 2010
Project AID Khmer: addressing the health impact of HIV/AIDS on Cambodia through rural capacity building.
HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Cambodia have largely focussed on urban populations. This focus, however, has diverted attention from the impact of the disease on rural communities, where poverty and a lack of basic infrastructure forced many to migrate to urban areas. ⋯ This paper will provide an analysis of socio-economic and health-related needs of rural communities in Cambodia, giving a different context for understanding the national burden of HIV/AIDS. These concepts will be illustrated with experiences from Project AID Khmer, a Cambodian non-governmental organisation that is working to improve Cambodian health through education programmes and community capacity building in rural Takeo province.
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Global public health · Jan 2010
Developing policy options for SARS and SARS-like diseases - a Delphi study.
The objective of the SARSControl Delphi study was to develop options for national and international emerging infectious diseases policies. The aim of this paper is to present the results of the study, which gathered expert opinions on gaps and inconsistencies concerning preparedness and response planning for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and SARS-like diseases. The Delphi technique was employed, which comprised a pilot round, two written rounds and a face-to-face meeting. ⋯ New policy alternatives were identified, such as the need for generic plans on pandemics and universal access to healthcare during an outbreak. The usefulness of some non-medical interventions, such as bans on travel, could not be established and need further research. Dissemination of the findings will help to bridge gaps and rectify inconsistencies in current pandemic planning and response strategies for SARS and SARS-like diseases, as well as add valuable knowledge towards the development of national and international emerging infectious disease policies.
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Global public health · Jan 2010
The challenges of budgeting in a newly introduced district health system: a case study.
Nigeria operates a three-tier political system consisting of a national government: 36 states, Federal Capital Territory and 768 local governments. There are three levels of health care: primary, secondary and tertiary levels corresponding to and funded by local, state and national governments, respectively. A budget prepared at the district level was not possible until 2006 when the 2007 annual budget was prepared. ⋯ There is a need for further study to be carried out to determine the factors that constrain the collection, analysis and dissemination of HMIS. In addition, there is a need to study the constraints to proper implementation of the FMS, HRMS and the linkage between the quality of the essential data-set with the efficiency of resource allocation in budgeting.
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With the world's highest antenatal HIV prevalence rate (39.2%), Swaziland has also been described as among the most stigmatising. Yet, only recently was an anti-HIV stigma and discrimination (S&D) platform included in the government's National Multisectoral HIV and AIDS Policy. This study draws on a medical anthropological project in rural Swaziland to examine experiences of stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). ⋯ In contrast to documented discrimination in health care settings, the health centre emerged as a space where PLWH could share information and support. Given the UNAIDS call for national partners to 'know your epidemic' by tracking the prevalence of HIV-related S&D, results from this study suggested that unless 'knowing your epidemic' includes the lived experiences of HIV stigma that blister into discernible patterns, effectiveness of national initiatives is likely to be limited. Multidisciplinary and locale-specific studies are especially well suited in examining the cultural dynamics of HIV stigma and in providing grounded data that deepen the impact of comprehensive HIV/AIDS policies and programming.