Assessment of the provision of HIV/AIDS services in Tshwane, South Africa

Background

This study was conducted in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. Although national and provincial statistical data is available, there is limited information regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemiological situation and the level of HIV/AIDS services provided to municipal communities. The overarching goal of the study was to identify the actual HIV/AIDS service needs of the community and assess if the current services actually met the community's needs. This was achieved by firstly conducting an epidemiological assessment to estimate the burden of HIV infection and AIDS as well as the number of individuals that require specific services. Secondly an audit of the available services in the community was conducted. This presentation will discuss the lessons learned for implementing such a project while highlighting the challenges that the research team faced. Positive and new methodology that was successful will be highlighted.

Challenges and lessons learned

Using community members to collect data.

Using GPS receivers and GIS data to plot the location of service providers

Overcoming bureaucracy to collect data

A lack of base data for comparisons.

Discussion/Conclusion

Despite the challenges faced this project successfully identified HIV/AIDS service providers within the Tshwane area. The data collected serves as an important basis from which improved community interventions and strategies can be built. Finally, this study identified the availability of services and estimated the needs of the community, thus providing the necessary information to structure a coordinated effort. It therefore serves as a case study from Tshwane, South Africa for implementation across borders.