The importance of linking SRH and HIV is widely recognized. The majority of HIV infections are sexually transmitted or are associated with pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. The risk of HIV transmission and acquisition can be further increased due to the presence of certain STIs. In addition, sexual and reproductive ill-health and HIV share root causes, including poverty, limited access to appropriate information, gender inequality, cultural norms and social marginalization of the most vulnerable populations. The international community agrees that the Millennium Development Goals will not be achieved without ensuring universal access to SRH and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Linkages between core HIV services and core SRH services in national programmes are thought to generate important public health benefits. Yet, integration of SRH services into HIV services and vice versa is still often provided on an adhoc basis. In addition, perspectives on linkages need to consider the structural and social determinants affecting both HIV and SRH.
1. Ensure SRH and HIV services are integrated for all clients regardless of HIV status, age, gender, sexual orientation or social-economic status
Integrated SRH and HIV services increase access to and uptake of key services, especially among poor, marginalized, socially-excluded and vulnerable populations, such as women and girls, people living with HIV and key populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people who use drugs.
91% of IPPF Member Associations currently have strategies to reach people particularly vulnerable to HIV such as women and girls, key populations and people living with HIV.
2. Position efforts to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV within a broader framework of maternal, child and neonatal health
A bold new commitment has emerged through a ‘Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive’ which aims to reduce the number of new HIV infections among children by 90% and reduce the number of AIDS-related maternal deaths by 50%.
77% of IPPF Member Associations that provide services are currently providing services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
3. Strengthen data collection systems to measure integrated service delivery
There is no “blueprint” to integration. An appropriate level and type of integration depends on a variety of factors including the nature of the HIV epidemic and the size and scope of existing services. Clear operations research and systems for routine data collection are needed in order to plan for and support the scaling up of optimal integrated SRH and HIV services.
IPPF supports the development of indicators on SRH and HIV linkages and promotes the findings of the Integra Initiative research on delivering integrated services in high and medium HIV prevalence settings.
Download the AIDS 2012 issue of the IPPF HIV Update newsletter:http://www.ippf.org/resources/publications/HIV-Update-newsletter
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