Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

National HIV strategic plans, HIV-related services, and HIV outreach efforts have tended to overlook persons with disabilities, and persons with disabilities are not reached by general HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment campaigns and services. To increase our understanding of how to make HIV programming more inclusive for persons with disabilities, HIVCore and partners conducted a three-country situation analysis (Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana). The study explored existing HIV services for persons with disabilities and determined the factors affecting their access to and use of HIV/sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Key findings: Persons with disabilities experience greater sexual vulnerability to HIV and are eager for HIV prevention support; the environments in these countries do not facilitate access for persons with disabilities to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services; when accessed, HIV and sexual health services are not disability-friendly; a major barrier to utilizing services is stigma; the environments for facilitating HIV programming for persons with disabilities in the three countries varied, yet similar challenges exist. This study identified significant gaps in HIV and SRH programs to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

DOI

10.31899/hiv10.1003

Language

English

Project

HIVCore: Strengthening HIV and AIDS Treatment, Care, and Support and PMTCT Service Delivery Programs

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