PSI/Honduras began its operations in 2000 focusing mainly on sexual and reproductive health. The platform’s goal has been to contribute to the overall reduction in the incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. PSI/Honduras has worked to achieve this goal through its social marketing program, which takes holistic approach to promote healthy behaviors. PSI/Honduras works to empower individuals so they may lead healthy lives. They do this by providing information through various formats, so that it is not only easy for individuals to understand, but also so that it may be associated with products which are accessible, available and contribute to saving lives. Therefore, as the populations we serve continue to learn about good health – and demand it- they will have with them the necessary tools to lead healthy lives.
PASMO estimates that in 2015, its products and services helped avert 16,705 DALYS, including, by health area:
- 15,605 HIV DALYs
- 1,101 FP DALYs
PASMO’s family planning programs also provided 30,843 couple-years of protection.
Reproductive Health “Club en Conexión”
Program for Sexual and Reproductive Health with emphasis on HIV and other STIs: The objective of “Club en Conexión” is to facilitate a space in which adolescents can develop via an educational process. The goal of the program is to provide adolescents with information that will allow them to develop and shape their values on sexual and reproductive health, so that they may lead positive and responsible lives. The peer education process enables adolescents, so that they may have access to health services, products and STI prevention services, as well as family planning information and services. By providing these resources, adolescents can decide for themselves how they wish to exercise and live their sexuality.
HIV
HIV and STI integrated prevention program aimed at Honduras’ armed forces
This program incorporates sexual and reproductive health with an HIV and STI prevention and treatment component. The program’s strategy focuses on communication that seeks to develop behavior change which is developed through various formative and interactive activities. These activities are segmented by specific military groups. For example, with Officers and Deputy Officers we apply a sensitization methodology that consists of “Conferences and Forums” in which important themes such as HIV and STIs within the military are discussed. Cadets are trained as instructors or peer educators so that they may relay the information they receive within their military units. Given that this group is the largest within this program, a variety of engaging and participatory activities are used.
Condom and Water-Based Lubricant Availability and Accessibility Program
“Marketing & Sales” – The distribution of health products is a strategy that compliments our behavior change communication strategy. PASMO/Honduras recognizes the importance of directing efforts to improve the availability and accessibility of condoms for the population, especially for those with greater risk of HIV infection.
To achieve integrated, efficient and sustainable HIV prevention, condom use is crucial; therefore, its promotion should be accelerated. Although new developments in prevention technology such as HIV vaccines and microbicides continue to advance, condom use will for many years, continue to be the leading prevention method.
Our availability and accessibility program focuses on product distribution by means of three distribution channels:
- Traditional, which is specifically made up of pharmacies.
- Non-Traditional, which consists of sales points where condom sales do not traditionally take place e.g. convenience stores, supermarkets, “Pulperias”, warehouses among others.
- High Risk Channels, these are sales points such as night clubs, motels, date houses, etc. that are linked or highly associated with commercial sex work.
Donors
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- SUMMIT Foundation
- U.S. Department of Defense
Partners
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Education
- National Human Rights Commission
- National Youth Institute
- Commercial Distributors for Our Products
- Civil Society Entities
- IEC networks in zones where our implementers carry out activities
- Can Online Interventions Enhance HIV Case Finding and Linkages to Care? Comparing Offline and Online Monitoring Data from a Combination Prevention Program with MSM and Transgender Women in Central America (WEPEC166)
Under the USAID Combination Prevention Program for HIV in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama, the Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) implements offline and online interventions to increase HIV testing services (HTS) uptake among at-risk MSM and transgender women (TW), and link reactive cases to care. - Quantifying the Levels of Violence Towards Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Three Cities of Honduras (WEPED382)
In Honduras, a social context of traditional values, homophobia and machismo create an environment that makes MSM vulnerable. There has been no recent quantification of violence towards them. The Pan American Social Marketing Organization conducted a population-based study to assess the USAID Combination Prevention Program for HIV and quantify the proportion of this population experiencing violence. - “If you don’t have the courage to go get a test, you won’t have the courage to go for treatment”: Consumer Perspectives on the Introduction of HIVST in Central America (WEPEC187)
The introduction HIV self-testing (HIVST) could overcome stigma-related barriers to HIV testing among Central America''s vulnerable populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and transgender women (TW). The Pan American Social Marketing Organization, through the USAID Combination Prevention Program in Central America, explored knowledge and acceptability of HIVST among vulnerable populations in four studies. - VIVE, Much More Than Just a Sustainable Condoms Socially-Marketed Brand (TUPEE601)
In response to the HIV epidemic in Central America, Population Services International (PSI) created in Central America, its affiliate, the Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO) in 1996. PASMO's inception project was to launch a regional socially-marketed condom brand, “VIVE,” to improve availability of and access to high quality condoms. Sustainability of the brand and growth of the total market were core principles from the start of the project. - Crisis in the Triangle: Addressing Adolescent Reproductive Health & Violence Prevention in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
With the largest youth population in history, it is critical to bring together and evaluate the most promising practices from health, violence prevention, protection and education, to develop – in partnership with young people–programs, evidence based research and opportunities that will transform the Northern Triangle countries into safe and healthy places for young people to thrive. - “Mamá Segura” Delivery Kits Summary
Socios públicos y privados reciben donación de kits “Mamá Segura” para prevenir la transmisión del virus del Zika en mujeres embarazadas Centroamericanas.
Public and private partners have donated "Mamá Segura" kits to prevent transmission of the Zika virus in pregnant women in Central America. - What You Ask and How You Ask It: Results of a Baseline Survey Among Very Young Adolescents (10-14 Years Old) in Honduras
The teenage pregnancy rate in Honduras is among the highest in the region at 22%. Challenges faced by young people are amplified due to low levels of educational attainment, limited economic opportunities, and limited access to AYSRH (adolescent, youth, sexual reproductive health) services. Population Services International (PSI) and PASMO/Honduras are working with young girls aged 10-19 to address harmful gender norms, which contribute to unintended teenage pregnancy. - 2012 Mid Year Region and Country Dashboards, Latin America and the Caribbean
Mid-year Latin America and the Caribbean region and country impact dashboards for 2012 - 2011 Region and Country Dashboards, Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean region and country impact dashboards for 2011 - Can Follow-Up Study Questions About Correct and Consistent Condom Use Reduce Respondent Over-Reporting Among Groups at High Risk? an Analysis of Datasets From Six Countries
This study sought to determine whether including two types of questions in surveys administered via face-to-face interview can contribute to more accurate measures of correct and consistent condom use among populations at risk for HIV.