Country Profiles

Programs

FHI's IMPACT Project efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Ghana are tailored to complement the country's national program, and have included: Surveillance and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), participating in the UNAIDS working group, improving the availability and use of relevant research data, strengthening the ability of in-country agencies and organizations to deliver HIV/AIDS care and support, reducing unsafe sexual behavior among those at high risk of HIV infection—including young people, the uniformed services, and commercial sex workers.

The Start Program

In February 2001, FHI launched a five-year project to explore cost-effective ways to deliver comprehensive care—including antiretroviral therapy (ART)—to people with HIV/AIDS in Ghana. The START program:

Promotes safer sex through education and communications
Provides voluntary HIV counseling and testing
Prevents mother-to-child HIV transmission
Prevents and treat opportunistic infections in people living with HIV/AIDS
Prevents and treats other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Supports people living with HIV/AIDS
Addresses the needs of orphans and other vulnerable children

FHI is documenting the lessons we've learn from the START program so they can be applied elsewhere.

START is providing valuable information on:

Reducing stigma
Drug resistance
Quality and impact of comprehensive services
Adherence to ART regimens
Delivering ART in resource-constrained settings
Preventive therapy for opportunistic infections
Impact of ART on high-risk sexual behavior
Cost comparisons of different service approaches and levels