The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41627

Lara Bonham Tabac, PhD¹, Claudia Gras, PhD¹, Ney Francisco Pinto Costa, MD², and Monica Almeida, MD². (1) International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, Inc., 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902, 212-214-0251, ltabac@ippfwhr.org, (2) BEMFAM, International Planned Parenthood Federation Brazil affiliate, Av. Republica do Chile, 230 - 17 andar, Centro - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20031-170, Brazil

Abstract: In an effort to better address the SRH needs of clients and meet the challenges posed by the Cairo agenda, four IPPF/WHR LAC member associations have engaged in the process of integrating STI/HIV/AIDS prevention into SRH programs, thereby improving quality of care. This process was facilitated by a self-assessment and training of trainers, using an IPPF/WHR-developed tool "Self-Assessment Module on Integrating STI/HIV/AIDS services into SRH programs and a training/technical assistance visit conducted by BEMFAM, IPPF/WHR's member association in Brazil.

This paper will discuss the field experiences with the tools, present strategies for implementation and replication, and explore lessons learned through this process of improving quality of care through greater integration of STI/HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services in SRH programs. Integrating these services offers an opportunity to better link counseling and the provision of contraceptives for unwanted pregnancy with STI/HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, but can take advantage of economies of scale to expand SRH programs to outh, hard-to-reach, and especially vulnerable populations.

Learning Objectives:

• This paper will present a model of best practices and minimum standards for integrating STI/HIV/AIDS prevention into SRH services. Experiences from four IPPF/WHR LAC member associations with the self-assessment process and training of trainers tool will be presented and provide other interested SRH programs with a model for replication.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Quality of Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: IPPF/WHR BEMFAM and four other LAC member associations
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.