{"id":44207,"date":"2021-03-15T06:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T06:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/psi2030.wpengine.com\/?post_type=news&p=44207"},"modified":"2021-03-12T21:41:13","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T21:41:13","slug":"human-centered-design-lends-a-new-approach-to-increase-uptake-of-hiv-services-among-south-african-men-who-have-sex-with-men","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/pt\/news\/human-centered-design-lends-a-new-approach-to-increase-uptake-of-hiv-services-among-south-african-men-who-have-sex-with-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Human-centered design lends a new approach to increase uptake of HIV services among South African men who have sex with men"},"content":{"rendered":"

Johannesburg \u2013\u00a0<\/span>Population Services International (<\/span>PSI<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Matchboxology, with support from\u00a0<\/span>the M<\/span>SD <\/span>Foundation<\/span>, <\/span>have <\/span>launched <\/span>a <\/span>new <\/span>initiative <\/span>to improve<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>access to\u00a0<\/span>HIV prevention, testing and treatment services for men who have sex with men (MSM).<\/span><\/p>\n

According to\u00a0<\/span>recent<\/span>\u00a0data<\/span>*<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>less than half<\/span>\u00a0of MSM\u00a0<\/span>in South Africa know<\/span>\u00a0their\u00a0<\/span>VIH\u00a0<\/span>status,<\/span>\u00a0e<\/span>\u00a0only\u00a0<\/span>about a quarter<\/span>\u00a0are on\u00a0<\/span>treatment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While there are a range of programs\u00a0<\/span>focusing on<\/span>\u00a0MSM,\u00a0<\/span>these data\u00a0<\/span>indicate<\/span>\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span>many MSM are not using them<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>suggesting<\/span>\u00a0that we do not yet\u00a0<\/span>have an\u00a0<\/span>adequate understand<\/span>ing of<\/span>\u00a0their healthcare needs and preferences.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With\u00a0<\/span>estimates of the number of MSM in South Africa rang<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0from 300,000 to 1.2 million<\/span>**<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0improving that understanding may unlock the opportunity to reach thousands more MSM\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0the healthcare and psychosocial support that they need for better physical and mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span>pplying principles of human-centered design<\/span>\u00a0(HCD)<\/span>, the<\/span>\u00a03<\/span>-year<\/span>\u00a0projeto<\/span>\u00a0will\u00a0<\/span>engage MSM directly in a process of learning and co-creation, identifying barriers and preferences and developing potential solutions that can then be tested<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>refined, and ultimately scaled and sustained<\/span>\u00a0if effective<\/span>. Intervention areas to be explored include peer support, digital solutions, social media outreach, comprehensive case management, and enhanced psychosocial and mental health support<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

One<\/span>\u00a0barrier appears to be that MSM need\u00a0<\/span>more<\/span> sensitivity and discretion than most services currently provide. By some estimates, non-identifying MSM <\/span>make up<\/span>\u00a0three-quarters of the total MSM population in South Africa. Even those who do identify as gay or bisexual often disclose that identity selectively, fearing stigma and discrimination.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPEPFAR has a long history of supporting the National Department of Health in reaching key populations,\u201d notes Joseph Lawrence, Technical Advisor for HIV Prevention at USAID\/South Africa. \u201cWe are excited to work with the MSD Foundation and PSI in expanding access to underserved groups,\u00a0<\/span>particularly<\/span>\u00a0non-gay-identifying MSM. We know it will only be possible to reach HIV epidemic control by providing services that address the needs of all populations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The project will be implemented by PSI and Matchboxology<\/span>\u00a0and guided by\u00a0<\/span>an advisory board comprising the\u00a0<\/span>South African\u00a0<\/span>National Department of Health, South African National AIDS Council, CDC, USAID, Global Fund, and various NGO partners currently implementing MSM programs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*PEPFAR South Africa FY19 Country Operational Plan
\n**NDOH & SANAC, 2017; UNAIDS, 2016; Baral et al, 2018; UCSF & SANAC, 2018<\/p>\n

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About\u00a0Population Services International (PSI)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Population Services International (PSI) is a global non-profit organization focused on encouraging healthy behaviors and delivering affordable health products and services around the world. For 50+ years, PSI has taken a business approach to saving lives, designing effective, sustainable solutions to the world\u2019s biggest healthcare challenges. PSI is specifically focused on scaling Consumer Powered Healthcare and bringing quality care closer to consumers, in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage. And we\u2019re bringing innovation to scale through our presence in 46 countries and a network of over 10,000 health clinics and pharmacies, while shaping mixed health systems principally through consumer powered solutions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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About Matchboxology\u00a0<\/strong>
\nMatchboxology<\/span>\u00a0is a globally<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>awarded\u00a0<\/span>h<\/span>uman<\/span>-c<\/span>entered\u00a0<\/span>d<\/span>esign, behavior change strategy<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and communications incubator.\u00a0<\/span>G<\/span>uided by the Nguni principal\u00a0<\/span>\u2018<\/span>Umuntu<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ngumuntu<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ngabantu<\/span>\u2019<\/span>\u00a0(<\/span>a person is who they are because of other people<\/span>)<\/span>, MBX sees<\/span>\u00a0that behind the logical frameworks and\u00a0<\/span>projeto<\/span>\u00a0deliverables lies a world of human beings driven by personal truths, attitudes,\u00a0<\/span>beliefs<\/span>\u00a0and motivational triggers<\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span>puts human beings at the heart of every challenge and opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Contact<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/i>Shawn Malone
\n<\/span>Projeto<\/span>\u00a0Director,\u00a0<\/span>HIV Prevention, Testing & Treatment for Men<\/span>
\n<\/span>Johannesburg<\/span>, South Africa<\/span>
\n<\/span>+27 81\u202f038 1862<\/span>
\n<\/span>smalone@psi.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Emma Beck
\n<\/span>Strategic Communications Manager
\n<\/span>Washington, D.C.<\/span>
\n<\/span>+1 (410) 297-7697<\/span>
\n<\/span>ebeck@psi.org<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","related_countries":[1537],"related_projects":[],"news_category":[],"health-area":[],"capabilities-and-cross-cutting":[],"class_list":["post-44207","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry","related_countries-south-africa"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t