PSI

PSI/El Salvador, known locally as PASMO was founded in 1998 to improve the situation of HIV/AIDS in most at high risk populations using social marketing strategies. Since it was founded, PSI/El Salvador has built strong bonds with the local NGO’s that work in HIV with high risk populations and with the National HIV/AIDS Program of the Ministry of Health. During this period PSI/El Salvador has performed prevention activities all over the country. Recently PSI/El Salvador has started a Family Planning project promoting long term contraceptives.

Health Areas

HIV, Reproductive Health

Health Impact

PSI/El Salvador estimates that in 2010, its products and services helped avert:

• 720 HIV & TB DALYs1
• 2,211 Reproductive Health DALYs
1. 1. Source: The DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Year) is a widely-used, credible metric that was first developed by the World Bank and is now routinely relied upon in the public health community.

Health Interventions

• Family Planning/HIV Integration
• Men Who Have Sex with Men
• Sex Workers
• Male Condom
• Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Improving Health in El Salvador

HIV

HIV activities in El Salvador promote healthy behaviors in most at risk populations, specifically MSM, FSW and youth. These activities are performed all over the country and over the last years their numbers have been duplicated.

The HIV team is making efforts to discover new ways on how to approach MSM population, a difficult task because of stigma and discrimination in the country. Internet and chat room have prove to be very effective to address MSM populations and encourage them to attend prevention activities.

As a part of our strategy and reinforcing our messages PSI/El Salvador has a condom distribution program with the brand VIVE one of the most sale condoms in El Salvador. During 2010 PSI/El Salvador, along with PSI offices of al the region, renewed the image of Vive brand.

Youth activities are also crucial to PSI/El Salvador and recently have established an agreement with the Ministry of Education to perform activities in low-income public schools in high-risk zones. PSI El Salvador is also working at a community level with the Social Inclusion Secretariat and working with faith based organizations and their leaders to address youth populations in sexual and reproductive health.

Reproductive Health

PSI/El Salvador recently started an ambitious Family Planning program with the goal to promote the use of long term contraceptives such as IUD and implants as an alternative to sterilizations and other contraceptives. For this project we have established strong relations with the Ministry of Health and private sector.

Latest News

• Event: Working Toward Reducing Maternal Mortality and Increasing Access to Reproductive Health
  October 29, 2010
• El Salvador: Transvestites get help to fight AIDS
  August 18, 2010
• PSI Research & Metrics Cited in UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update
  May 19, 2010