HIV/AIDS
I have been extensively involved in policy development, programmatic activities and monitoring and evaluation with regard to HIV/AIDS using innovative approaches to assess prevention, care and treatment. Much of this work has been done for PEPFAR and involves accessing highly vulnerable, marginal and mobile groups. This requires extremely sensitive, rights-based approaches given the often high degrees of stigmatisation. In addition, my work has focused upon the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and facilitating access to other reproductive health services (such as family planning) by those living with HIV/AIDS.
- May 2016 - The Palladium Group: Design and analysis of qualitative research to inform the rebranding of Condom Protector in Mali. Study participants wanted discrete, small, packaging (that could be mistaken for a candy wrapper) with 'Africanized' modern designs evoking 'love' and 'trust'.
- June – July 2014 - Johns Hopkins University – Center for Communication Programs - Côte d'Ivoire: Market study of potential demand for new Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) organization for HIV/AIDS. Interviews with partners, beneficiaries and donors assessed the new entity's role, structure and function together with possible sources of funding.
- March 2013 - Engender Health/PEPFAR, Cðte d'Ivoire: Qualitative evaluation of the 'Men as Partners' initiative which seeks to encourage male participation in VCT and PMTCT. The study explored the socio-cultural barriers to male testing as well as those associated with service delivery which is highly 'feminized'.
- June 2010 - USAID, Mali: Strategic review to assess current strategies and interventions targeting those at high and medium risk of HIV infection in Mali. The work also comprised formative research with new groups for potential targeting including Men who have Sex with Men and Intravenous Drug Users.
- February - April 2010 Family Health International, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Provided technical assistance for the writing up of a PEPFAR proposal for HIV prevention and management with Highly Vulnerable Populations (HVPs) (including sex workers, Men who have Sex with Men and prisoners).
- December 2009 - PEPFAR/ Academy for Educational Development: Evaluation of PEPFAR's 'New Partners Initiative' in Zambia. Interviews and observations were carried out with AED's local faith-based partners working on HIV prevention and care as part of PEPFAR's Close Out Organizational Capacity Assessment (CLOCA).
- June 2008 - UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, Mali: Situation Analysis on HIV/AIDS and youth for Mali's National AIDS Control Programme. This comprised a literature review, epidemiological analyses and new qualitative data collection. The findings were used as the basis for the development of Mali's 5-year Strategic Plan for HIV prevention and management among young people. Specific themes which emerged from participatory work with young members of civil society pertained to injecting drug use, MSM and sexual violence in schools.
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