UNFPA and comprehensive condom programming
Prevention is the mainstay of the response to AIDS. Correct and consistent condom use is a critical element in a comprehensive, effective and sustainable approach to HIV prevention and treatment. Condoms are a key component of HIV prevention strategies, yet access and consistent use remain an issue.
As the lead UN agency on male and female condom programming, UNFPA recently invited a small number of partner organisations to form an Inter Agency Task Team (IATT) to begin and sustain a process to break through the current impasse and accelerate the scaling up of condom programming as an integral part of HIV prevention.
The UNAIDS IATT on Comprehensive Condom Programming convened by UNFPA is made up of technical experts and advocates drawn from global, national and community development partners including: UNFPA, the UNAIDS Secretariat, WHO, FHC, FHF, PSI, Durex Network, World YWCA, FHI, PAI, UNESCO, Population Council and SIDA.
In the first phase of this effort, IATT met for a series of workshops to bring together technical experts and advocates to conduct a critical review and outline the essential elements of a Global Comprehensive Condom Programming Strategy.
A satellite session was also organised during the 2008 International AIDS conference in Mexico in a bid to bring together a wider audience for discussion on several key factors that encourage or prohibit the scale-up of condom programming. Themes discussed included: financing of condom programmes; challenges of scale-up at the national level; programming success factors; behaviour change; access; international community commitment; civil society involvement and policy change.
Zimbabwe – a CCP success story
Zimbabwe is an advanced generalised epidemic country, with an adult prevalence of 21% in 2005-2006 and more than 80% of new HIV infections through sexual transmissions. Yet, it is also the first southern African country to experience a significant and steady decline in adult HIV prevalence.
Comprehensive condom programming has been part of an integrated HIV prevention strategy at national level since 2006. It was founded on strong partnerships and leadership at all levels and research-based evidence informed all stages of the programme development. The programme has secured ongoing supply of affordable and high-quality condoms, branded communications and buy-in from local communities. It is reviewed annually and findings inform future programming.
Thanks to its integration into family planning as well as linkage to behaviour change programmes targeting partner reduction and discordant couples, HIV testing and STI services, CCP has so far been a success in Zimbabwe. For more details, click here