In an effort to enhance HIV prevention among key populations in Tanzania, the National AIDS STI Control Programme (NASHCoP), and UNAIDS approached the SSLN informed by insightful findings from the Female Sex Workers (FSW) and Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) HIV Prevention Self-Assessment Tool (PSAT). Recognising the critical role of outreach and community engagement, Tanzania requested for Technical Assistance to introduce microplanning as an essential building block of a trusted access platform for key populations.
…..that tool for listing peers has helped us track our peers. For example, if I find Rehema missing, I will know where to find her as through this process we have established a good rapport with the peers…...Peer Educator, SHIDEPHA
A comprehensive landscape assessment underscored the need for systematic and location-based outreaches; and highlighted the need to incorporate optimum peer ratios to maintain regular outreach coverage. Improving the selection of peer outreach workers to ensure their continuous presence in the key locations and accountability of their peer cohorts, were additional findings. Furthermore, the assessment noted the need to standardise community level data collection tools used across implementation, to improve the tracking of progress across a continuum from prevention to viral suppression.
A facilitated workshop convened stakeholders from various sectors i.e. (government, implementers and key population community organisations). Drawing from generic outreach and Microplanning model and best practices in peer outreach systems, a Tanzania-specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was developed. This also included Microplanning and peer outreach reporting tools. Using these documents, an intensive 5-day training was conducted with participants drawn from outreach teams. Participatory methods such as illustrated lectures, group work, practical teach-back and demonstrations were used.
To build confidence in implementing the approach, mentorship was provided for several weeks to the trained outreach teams in the TNI and SHDEFA programmes in Manyara and Tabora regions. The mentorship led to a further refined finalised outreach and Microplanning SOP.
The TA on microplanning was very useful. We want to use the tools and the SOP for all implementing partners who implement programmes with KVP. The GC& funds will be used to scale up this SOP in the country - Dr. Ona Machangu, HIV prevention lead, NASHCoP.
