Operational Effectiveness of Phayao Integrated Working Team in Response to HIV/AIDS Problems in Accelerated Target Groups

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Phayao province's integrated working team operations against HIV/AIDS problems in 9 accelerated target groups including commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men, prisoners, injection drug users, mixed HIV-status couples, adolescents, pregnant women, people living with HIV/AIDS , and children affected by AIDS. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches to obtain data from provincial epidemiological reports, representatives of domestic government/non-government and international organizations, PLHA networks and local administrative authorities. It was found that organizations involving in the operations are multi-level and diverse. Each organization was assigned to take responsibility accordingly to its expertise. For instance, public healthcare organizations provided health-related services; non-government organizations took approached specific target population at community level; and PLWHA networks took roles in domestic and international fundraising. The operations of the integrated working team were also facilitated by other local organizations. After 2-year implementation, the infection rates and number of AIDS-related deaths among most target groups had decreased to near zero, except the infection rates among MSM and adolescents. Stigmatization still existed and that contributed to difficulty in approaching target population and reducing social discrimination.

There were some potential challenges to the effectiveness of operations against HIV/AIDS in Phayao. Insufficient number of health personnel obstructed proactive operations in communities. Vulnerable target groups were difficult to access due to their illegal status and social stigma. Withdrawal of international funders resulted in unsustainability of resources. Such findings called for political and managerial response in capacity building for healthcare practitioners, enhancing local involvement, and empowering PLWHA communities.