Global Health Projects: Zambia
Corridors of Hope HIV/AIDS Prevention Initiative II (COH II) (2006-2009)
Client/Agency
United States Agency for International Development
Background
Much of Zambia's urban population is concentrated around transport corridors that are heavily used by Zambia's two major industries, mining and agriculture, and by companies carrying exported goods to Zambia and its neighbors. These industries rely heavily on migrant labor from within the country and from neighboring countries. Several studies have repeatedly shown that these mobile workers, as well as prostitutes and truckers who frequent these areas, are more likely to have multiple sex partners, multiple concurrent partnerships, and report inconsistent and inadequate use of condoms, making border communities exceptionally vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
Purpose
Following on the success of Corridors of Hope I (COH I), COH II will apply innovative strategies that address HIV/AIDS prevention in seven of the highest HIV prevalence border and transport corridors in Zambia.
Activities and Results
Working in Livingstone, Kazungula, Chipata, Katete, Kapiri Mposhi, Chirundu, and Ndola, COH II will increase the provision of HIV/AIDS prevention services and behavior and social change interventions among high-risk groups like sex workers and long-distance truck drivers; work to engage and mobilize corridor communities, their leaders, and local organizations to address HIV transmission and prevention; and improve links with referral networks for care and treatment with education and economic improvement activities.
RTI will lead overall program management, provide monitoring and evaluation services, and develop a database management system to analyze and synthesize information across HIV prevention, care and treatment programs in Zambia. Family Health International (FHI 360) will oversee the operation of the field centers by local NGOs Zambia Health Education and Communications Trust (ZHECT) and Afya Mzuri. Zambia Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS (ZINGO) will conduct behavior change interventions and activities and work to develop the capacity of community and faith-based organizations.
COH II expands RTI's presence in a high-profile country of focus for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It also builds on the Zambia Electronic Perinatal Record System (ZEPRS) project, which included a system for managing antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS patients.