According to the
national survey conducted by the Sudan
National AIDS Programme SNAP in 2002,
Sudan is the most severely affected
country in North Africa and the Middle
East with an estimated 500,000 people
living with HIV/AIDS, and mostly in
need of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Despite the fact that the epidemiological
data is limited, it is believed that
the country is in the early stages
of a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic,
with an almost exclusively heterosexual
transmission pattern. The adult prevalence
rate of HIV/AIDS has been estimated
at 1.6%, with specific population
group prevalence rates ranging from
0.5% to 2.5% in the northern part
of the country.
The 2002 survey showed a low awareness
of HIV/AIDS, with only 53% of the
population being aware of the sexual
transmission risk of HIV/AIDS, and
a total of 640,000 individuals being
infected with HIV. It has been reported
that 0.5% limited sentinel surveillance
testing during 2004 yielded prevalence
rates of 0.95% (18/1900) among pregnant
women, 1.9% (9/465) among symptomatic
STD patients, and 2.3% (33/1436) among
TB patients. False beliefs about HIV
transmission were common as were indicators
of strong stigma. In fact 44% of respondents
said that they would not share a meal
with an infected individual, 31% would
not nurse a patient, and 30% would
not allow an infected child or teacher
to attend school.
To address the HIV/AIDS situation
in Sudan, UNDP, with the support of
the Global Fund to Fights AIDS Tuberculosis
and Malaria
(GFATM),
launched in April 2005 Fighting HIV/AIDS
in Sudan project.
Objectives
The project’s ultimate objective
is to contribute to reducing HIV/AIDS
transmission and mortality in Sudan.
With this in mind, the project’s
specific objectives are as follows:
• To increase the prevalence
of safe behaviour among vulnerable
populations with a focus on female
sex workers, tea sellers, long-distance
truck drivers and jail inmates.
• To establish Voluntary, Confidential
Counseling and Testing (VCCT) services
and quality Antiretroviral treatment
(ART) and support centres for people
living with AIDS.
• To improve knowledge and practice
of HIV/AIDS preventive measures by
the general adult population during
2004/08, including the use of high
quality care services for sexually
transmitted infections (STI).
• To improve screening of blood
and blood products for HIV and other
blood born infections.
• To improve knowledge of HIV/AIDS
transmission among in-school youth.
• To monitor the trend of the
HIV/AIDS epidemic through Second Generation
Surveillance in selected high-risk
population groups, by measuring behavioural
and biological parameters and guide
programme planners to realign the
programme interventions in line with
current and future epidemic trends.
Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• A total of 130,916 people
from vulnerable groups reached by
BCC community outreach activities.
• 1,840,410 condoms distributed
for free with GF resources.
• A total of 3,177 Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STI) cases
treated among vulnerable groups during
outreach activities.
• A total of 494 lay and professional
counselors trained in Voluntary Counseling
and Testing Centers.
• A total of 38,146 people completed
the testing and counseling process.
• A total of 366 service deliverers
trained in ARV treatment and treatment
of opportunistic infections.
• 37 service delivery points
providing ARV combination therapy.
• A total of 2,443 individuals
with advanced HIV infection receiving
ARV combination therapy.
• A total of 3772 people with
HIV infection receiving diagnosis
and treatment for opportunistic infections
with GF Support.
• A total of 432 health/community
workers received training on interpersonal
communications.
• A total of 1153 Health Community
Professionals trained in syndromes
approach to STIs.
• 47,832 Number of cases treated
for STIs in the GF supported points.
• 306 service deliverers trained
(blood bank staff trained in screening
of blood for HIV/HBV and HCV)
• 48,1915 transfused blood units
screened for HIV/HBV.
• A total of 2033 individuals
trained to deliver youth education
including trainers, school teachers
and counselors of drop-in-center.
• A total of 232 schools and
drop-in centers providing life-based
HIV/AIDS education.
• 99323 Number of young people
exposed to HIV/AIDS education in-out
of school setting using GFATM resources
(combined indicator).
• 84,059 Number of young people
reached by HIV/AIDS education in school
settings.
• A total of 32 sentinel sites
established.
• 137 service deliverers trained
in second generation surveillance
