Guatemala

The Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) Guatemala takes a combination prevention approach to preventing HIV in Guatemala. Among men who have sex with men and transgender women, they promote outreach interventions focused on knowing one’s HIV status, HIV testing and counseling services, index testing services and referrals for treatment and complementary services. PASMO Guatemala also works to ensure that individuals are linked to care and that adequate support is provided along the entire HIV continuum of care. HIV prevention efforts also include reducing stigma and discrimination against key populations and persons living with HIV, such as the Generación Cero social movement. The movement identifies “stigma and discrimination-free zones,” which aim to sensitize and strengthen institutional capacity against discrimination and stigma.

From 2011 to 2017, PASMO Guatemala implemented the USAID PlanFam project in five departments and 30 municipalities in rural areas of the Western Highlands. The municipalities were equipped with sexual and reproductive health clinics and trained clinic staff who now offer high-quality services while following strict privacy and confidentiality regulations. Five local offices were established to increase the use of modern contraception for the reduction of maternal mortality. The project reached 12,566 adolescents and 346 educators in targeted geographical locations, all of whom were trained on issues related to sexual and reproductive health. In addition, 102 public health providers were trained on the use and insertion of long-acting reversible contraception.  

According to a national survey, 24.3% of married or previously married Guatemalan women between the ages of 30 and 39 have experienced at least one violent act from their partner in the past year. PASMO Guatemala addressed gender-based violence with aid from the Embassy of Sweden and coordinates with multiple partners, collectively called the Ixoqib Consortium. Ending in 2019, this program provided specialized psychological, medical and legal services for victims of sexual violence and increases their access to resources in the departments of Quiché, Huehuetenango and Totonicapán as well as Guatemala City and its suburbs. 

PASMO Guatemala markets and sells condoms and lubricants in addition to other sexual and reproductive health products. Increased uptake of these products reduces HIV transmission and improves sexual health, a strategy that complements social and behavior change communication activities. PASMO Guatemala recognizes the importance of improving the availability and accessibility of condoms for those with a greater risk of HIV infection. 

Working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners, PASMO Guatemala’s Zika programs improve community engagement and quality of services involved in Zika prevention. Activities include outreach through community events, private health clinics and a mass media campaign aimed at educating women of reproductive age about the misconceptions, signs, symptoms and prevention of Zika. Another key factor is the distribution of Zika prevention kits, which include informational materials, condoms and insect repellant.