Ghana AIDS Commission, Ghana HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework I 2001-2005, 2000, 58 pp. pdf

59 Pages·2004·3.55 MB·English

PREFACE____________________________________
The National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework for Ghana has been formulated in recogni-
tion of the developmental relevance of the disease. It is an issue that requires a holistic,
multi-secd tmonruaal tli-disciplinary responso ceto d bnnrfiarnot guitn in tder control. Ghana,
by thie sb ohdlodt c idnuimtniaeatniv tes therein ous jtoe lgaiinnlhoehebdtd a ,l community
in a united effort to combat the epidemic.
Over the years, the incidence of HIV/AIDS has increased steadily and has almost reached
epidemic proportions in the country. The very fact that victims of HIV are mainly in the
productive age fo2s 5-49 years, posea sm ajor challeng oeGt hanafs developmental
efforts. We, therefore, have to take urgent and pragmatic steps to confront the epidemic.
This-Framework provides broad guidelines for sector Ministries, Departments, Agencies,
District Assemblies, the Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and civil society
at large, to evolve such specific HIV/AIDS strategic plans and activities as may be deter-
minedy b their peculiar needsd nac ircumstances.
The implementation of these strategic plans would require not only enormous human and
financial resourc tuaeblss o individ dcnuoaall lectived c wnoaiml lmitm, tshei netItr. efore,
my fervent hope and desire that all sectors - public, private, non-governmental, and donor
agencies- wn ii cltcal oncerto t ensure thae twm ee ehttt argetn i sttehs is Framework.
I wo iastch knowle eldehgaetd ership role plan ytheiids effore Nt,hbaytt ional Population
Coune cchoil nt( tNdriPnbuCat )ions fe rMohmint isf tHory ealth (MOH), National Develop-
ment Planning Commission (NDPC), Minisf tEorym ploy dmSnoeacni tal Welfare (MESW),
Ghana Social Marketing Foundation (GSMF), International Federationf o Women Law-
e Dhe AvCte eyo C leonrh.erpsosSf nmut Potlf(rte eFae ndonI .DtptJsnAle )L a,td. ,
(CEDEP), as well as all others who in diverse ways have contributed to the development
of the Framework. Finally, let me thank the UNAIDS and DFID for their financial assis-
tance.
M $<> \f 'l/ >•/>•
ffff /ffl^^Mr
/
H. tJL.E t.iFJ. . Rawlings
President of the Republic of Ghana
1 H I V / A I DS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK
F TCAOBOLNE TENTS____________________________________
4 LISF ATO CRONYMS
6 C: H EIANPNTTROEOR DUCTION
1.1 Background 6
7 e D1h.Te1m.1 ographic Factor
1.1.2 The Socio-Economic Factor 8
1.1.3 Political Administrationd na HIV/AIDSn i Gh9ana
1.2 Review of the National Response to HIV/AIDS in Ghana 9
1.3 General Policy Environment 12
31 1.4 Rationale
1.5 Process of Developing the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework 13
CHAPTER TWO : GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 16
2.1 Goal 16
2 .2 Obje61ctives
2.3 Guiding Principles 16
2.4 I6n1 tervention Areas
2.5 Broad Expected Outcomes 17
CHAPTER THREE: PREVENTIONW EN FO INFECTIO91 N
3.1 Promoting Safer Sex Among the Youth and Other Vulnerable Groups 19
3.2 Prevention and Effective Management of STD 23
3.3 Prevention of HIV Transmission through Transfusion of
Blood and Blood Products 25
3.4 Minimising the Risk of Accidental HIV Transmission
Outside eht Clinical S62 etting
3.5 7R2educing Mother-to-Child Transmission (MCTC )
3.6 Voluntary Counselling and Testing 28
03 CHAPTER FOUR: CD SANURAPE PORT
4.1 Institutional Care for PLWHA 30
4.2 Home-Based Care for PLWHA 31
CHAPTER FIVE: ENABLIN4G3 ENVIRONMENT
5.1 Creatinga Supportive Legal, Ethicad nla Policy
Environment for HIV/AIDS Programmes 34
CHAPTER SIX: DECENTRALISED IMPLEMENTATION AND
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 37
6.1 Coordination and Implementation Arrangements 37
6.1.1 Ghana AIDS8 3Commissid oSnnae cretariat
6.1.2 Ministries, Departd mAngeenants cies (MDAs), Private Sector
and Civil Society 38
6.1.3 Regional HIV/AIDS Committees 39
6.7.4 District, Communityd na Family Level Implementation04
HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK 2
CHAPTER SEVEN: RESEARCH, MONITORID NENGVA ALU2A4TION
7.1 Research 42
24 7.2 Monitoring
7.3 Evaluation 43
CHAPTER EIGHT : CONCLUSION AND THE WAY FORWARD 45
APPENDIX I : SUMMARY OF STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS 47
APPENDIX II : TECHNICAL TEAM 55
APPENDIX III: OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS 56
SELECTED REFERENC75 ES
3 HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK
LIST OF ACRONYMS____________________________________
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
CBO Community-Based Organisations
CEDEP Centre for the Development of People
CHAG Christian Health f AGshsoaoncaiati on
CHRAJ Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice
CSW Commercial Sex Workers
DA District Assemblies
DHMT District Health Management Team
DPI District Response Initiative
FBO Faith-Based Organisations
FIDA International Federation of Women Lawyers
GAG Ghana AIDS Commission
GBA Ghar AanBsa sociation
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEA Ghana Employers Association
GES Ghana Education Service
GHS Ghana Health Service
GJA Ghana Journalists Association
GNAT Ghana National Association of Teachers
GPRTU Ghana Private Road Transport Union
GRMA Ghana Registered Midwives Association
GSMF Ghana Social Marketing Foundation
HIV Human Immune-Deficiency Virus
IE&C Information, Educad Ctniooamn munication
S RI Internal Revenue Service
S SJ Junior Secondary School
KVIP Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit-latrine
MCH Maternal and Child Health
MDA Ministries, Departments and Agencies
MESW Ministrf oyE mploymed nSnato cial Welfare
MLGRD Minisf toLryo cal Governd mRneuanra tl Development
C OM Minisf tCoryo mmunication
D OM Minis fDtorye fence
E OM Ministry foE ducation
MOF Ministry of Finance
MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture
MOH Ministry of Health
MOJ Ministry of Justice
HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK 4
MOYS Ministry of Youth and Sports
MTCT Mother to Child Transmission
MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework
NACP National AIDS Control Programme
NBTS National Blood Transfusion Service
NBSSI National Board for Small Scale Industries
NCCE National Commission on Civic Education
NCWD National Commission for Women and Development
NDPC National Development Planning Commission
NFED Non-Formal Education Division
NGO Non Governmental Organisation
NPC National Population Council
OPD Out-Patient Department
OVI Objectively-Verifiable Indicators
PEP Post Exposure Prophylaxis
PIP Population Impact Project
PLWHA People Living With HIV/AIDS
PTA Parent Teacher Association
PR Public Relations
RCC Regional Coordinating Council
RHMT Regional Health Management Team
SP Strategic Plan
SSNIT Social Security and National Insurance Trust
SSS Senior Secondary School
STD Sexually Transmitted Diseases
TBA Traditional Birth Attendants
P RT Technical Resource Pool
TUC Trades Union Congress
UNAIDS United Nations Program on AIDS
VCT Voluntary Counsellingd nTa esting
WAJU Wd Jounmv eGaeehnhn ialten faUo nPi tolice Service
TFR Total Fertility Rate
5 ' HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK
_________________________________________________CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
The first 42 cases of Human Immune-Deficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Ghana were recorded in 1986, mainly among women who had
travelled outside ehc fto Do duneen cehtert yymB. ber 19a c99u ,mulative totaf o3l 7,298
cases had been recorded. Nearly 90% of the cumulative AIDS cases from 1986-1999 are
between 15-49 years of age, with 63% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases being females. The
female-to-male HIV/AIDS infection ratio is, however, gradually attaining parity, changing
fromn i 1:6 1987o t approximatelyn i 1:2 1998.e hT peak ages rof infectione ra 25-29 years
for females and 30-34 years for males (See Fig 1).
:A1ge-SFe ig.x Distribuf tRiooenp orted AIDS Case: 1s 986-1999
4500- ;.;. ::.:«m.:-:W mo::-:::::V:i:':m-::-Kv:.-:::•::::•:•; m.;.;!:.;.::.; 'm-x a ::m :•::•:•:•::•:::::: :•:::: :•::•:•::: ::•:•:•::•:•:•:•:•:«•:•:::•:::::••:•;•::«.:::•:«:•::::•::.;.;•: :.;:;•:•:•:•:•:•:•::•:.:::•:::
4000- jj • • j| i ii • j' jj • j|fj| • lill' • m' ilHIi!11?" iffii JJ I' i|i Jltilf i-1 m- •;•' • 'I •' v "ill 11 •'; I ••' ii • III II' ijj 1' I • Bii J
3 j •: 3o0 ';a::j :0•i ;f 0rio - (SS $a* g:•: o.: i;f .f;:• ;•: ?( "£; S-s*i «—. ;™ ;M a;..; • ff:. /;;?. ffi:. i^;., S •:. •• f :f;Sl., ,oifg5 • •
S ^ooL.I.Hlj.i i-^mJJ.ji .fi l:ii]ji!i ,if11 jJlij
•5 ; lMl!:\S?icl^Hi| 11 I1i 1 11MI11 1 IIP1; 1 IP i HiIl l
•I 200°" •*;; ;;';:i| g|||p i ¥Si Is i TO ~ss« iTl | iW" i :: ;;s'i » mtt ^> mi- ?i i ^.Sis ?
isoo : :M; : ; 1
i -hiilliS8i|'|';f 1i I HH HI I III'Hi HI 8 "I
o -"tfS'--'j---• ••-!iTi-•••••• f'•• ••••• ••• |•••i-ja--pfr- ^pi ii^a ™v,ii ^pfa.-y f;g.-••••tf,ai'-j-FH •••ftati:
0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 3O-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60+
Age Group
| E3 Male B Female |
The national prevalence rate of HIV has risen from 2.6% in 1994 to 4.6% according to the
1998 sentinel surveillance repoV rSItH. ero-prevalence among Sexually-Transmitted Dis-
ease (STD) patients and blood.donors is recorded to be 17% and 4%, respectively. Among
Commercial Sex Workers (CSW) in Accra and Kumasi, it has been found that 75.8% and
82%, respV epcIoHtsiv ie teNeivhrlayeaTt, .ional AIDS Control Programme (NACP) projects
the average national prevalence rate ot increaseo t 6.y 4b%2 004, 8.y 2b%2 00d9na
9.5% by the year 2014 if the current trend continues.
Heterosexual transmission of HIV accounts for 75-80% of all HIV/AIDS infection. Vertical
transmission (from mother to child) accounts for 15% while transmission through blood
and blood products accounts for 5%. (See Fig. 2). HIV I and II are both present. The
former is the most commonly found, with the subtypes A and D identified as the most
predominant.
ji
6 HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK
Illliilllllii^^
!SSillM^lili;gililSfe^>iSll^ilil!ii^i^fill!s^|p|p^^pl^^^pi
lillfiyilllB^^^
||llllilllllll||||ll
llflllll^ 1
1.1.1 The Demographic Factor
Ghana's population is estimated at 18,412,529 with a growth rate of 2.5% according to
preliminary results of the 2000 Population and Housing Census. Life expectancy cur-
rently stan7 dy5 tesa ar eschT.u rrent levef oHl IV/AIDS transmission, howeven darc,r as-
tically reduce this life expectancy if urgent and sustainable action is not taken... The
economically active and reproductive age-group (15-49 years) is the worst hit by the HIV
infection.
Ghana has since the 1960s had a persistently high Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 6.7. The
n reic senart hattime e ns1 i9d 9e68c. l4i(n nG1e i9Dod 95H t3fr. S;o5,m 1998). This
figure is still high. Unfortunately, the use of contraceptives, including condoms, is quite low
due mainly to the low level of literacy.
The age structure of the population also shows the predominance of youth, with 42% of
e httotal population being under 15 years. (CWIQ, 1997). Even though children undereno
year old constitute 4% of the total population, they account for 15% of HIV/AIDS cases in
Ghana. This situation posesn a enormous threae htt ot gains maden i reducing infant
mortality rao tdeTa. te,o ptnho eelirrcad esi netarsa tegies aime tarde ducing mother-to-
child transmission. Children aged 5-14, therefore, presenta "Windowf o Hoper "ofm an-
agine ghHt IV/AIDS crisis principally because they have generalt lobyn egun their sexual
lives. Increased attentioo thnt is age-grous cpi r eiftuhicttua rle rese pehopnti doseet mic.
e hTdistributionf o HIV/AIDSn i Ghanas i highern i densely populated areas. Higher num-
f bcoee aSrss hoeustt h oene ccrconihuu rrtne tgrfyioo npas rticun ladreilyn sely popu-
lated regional capitals like Kumasi, Koforidud anAa ccra. Prevalencef oH IV/AIDSs ia lso
very high in mining towns like Obuasi and Tarkwa as well as in border towns. The implica-
tions are that, in high prevalence areas, a two-pronged approach is required. The first is to
intensify action towarde rhste ductiof notr ansmission within these towe shtne dsnca,o nd
io spt rovide cad rsneau ppor roptf eople living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs wa) es slal upport
for people affectedy b HIV/AIDS like AIDS orphanss A. rural areas have been les-sfa
fected by the HIV/AIDS scourge, primordial preventive efforts in these areas need to be
enhanced.
7'H I V / A I DS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK
1.1.2 The Socio-Economic Factor
Even though poverty levels have been estimateo dht ave dropped n f1ir %o96m837 /8o8t
29.4% in 1998/99, there are regional as well as rural-urban variations. Poverty and other
economic pressuresn o individualse ht ni country constitute major factorse ht ni spreadfo
HIV/Ar eoIDxFaSm . ple, high youth unemployment, limb oitopee rpjdih so-trt udnnitiaes
g cnoi f solit vi enarags pe ephcto ftvos erty cycle that promote transacd etniaoa rnxleyasl
sexual relations.
As evidenced in other countries, the spread of HIV/AIDS also impacts on both the supply
and demand aspe fcoetsd uce aghtaiToinns e .e hmdtu ancdaie tion sector, ssuach
increased enrolmeo natt bove 70e i%rma,p resst iuvthbee, se will become increasingly
difficuo lstt ue shft tooat leiluond wing:
/. an increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases among teachers will reduce their
availabilitye ht ot educational sector;dna
ii. there will be declining enrolment either through rising infection rates among
s me yahoo rruteot h families beo greitnq uire childo rcr estoani crfek family
members.
a hG igshhaalnyh a mobile population. Rural-urban migration, pae rytihocunut tlyiah brly
search of non-existent jobs, leaves them stranded in cities and thus further exposes them
to the risk of transactional sex. Street children are vulnerable as transactional sex is com-
mon among them. Thes ariel so rural-rural migrato iomtn arket placn emIsf o .tohse tse
areas sleeping conditione rsad eplorabd lneca asus i rxaeisfl e. Long distance drivers,
uniformed service personnel and itinerant traders are particularly exposed to the risk of
casual sex, and hence to HIV/AIDS.
Ghana has a diverse ethnic and cultural composition that is reflected by different cultural
practices and sometimes by different political orientations. A common feature of tradi-
e sthrtoiontn gas cl oilid mffe amnmuialnya slupport s eyesxhtteetmn ds seuadc fh amily
system. In recent times, particularly with urbanisation and the consequent rural-urban
migration, these systems are breaking down resulting in the development of nuclear fami-
lies. The price being paid is the inadequate social and family support for PLWHA and
people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Other socio-cultural factors ss usact dihdg nemanai al m de scanhuakatpre rep oofr t
PLWHAd na those affectedy b HIV/AIDSa daunting challenge. Polygamy, sexual attitudes
d bnealief systems which underlie gender inequalities, makt eid ifficr uwolft ome onnt ego-
tiate on issues about sex, reproduction and condom use. Prevailing belief systems are
also important in the reporting and management of STDs.
Ghanaianse ra generally very religious.e hT principal religionse ra Traditional, Christian
and Islamic. Few religious bodies have, however, been adequately mobilised to respond
appropriatelye ht ot HIV/AIDS epidemico t dna help reducee ht stigmad na denial associ-
8 HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK
ated with HIV infection.
The economic cost of HIV/AIDS to employers (though not determined), in terms of care,
absenteeism and re-training, is high and continues to rise. HIV/AIDS is expected to put
severe stress on families, the health sector and other sectors of the economy. Recent
estimates indicate that the annual cost of treatment of opportunistic infections in an AIDS
ps aah eitbgies nha0na c5t 45,000r e pp( ea)0rb8s o$oe SuhcUnTot . sf opt roviding
healthr A coIaDrfeS patientsr e aaxclofenee ds other health care costs thus affeechtintg
provision of primary health care to the general public.
Finally, the rising number of AIDS orphans will put enormous pressure on households,
comm eunhnat ia dttwii noeshaanso le. Th siwsi ors neri ural areas f wGo %hhea6rn6ea fs
population lives and where levels of poverty are high because the majority are employed
mainn pliyr imary agricultural production.
1.1.3 Political Administration and HIV/AIDS in Ghana
Ghanas i mad0 1re fo epu gionsd na 110 districts witha decentralised system fo adminis-
tration. Within this arrangemee nnhtta, tional leves irl esponsibr olpef od lisncatyr ategy
developmente .hT regional levee ht lsii ntermediate level responsible rof translating-an
tional policy into regional strategies and co-ordination of district actions. The district is the
let vwaehl llgiacoh vernment poe liicmriaeps lemented.
The District Assemblies are the highest political and administrative authority at the local
levee hlDT. istrict Assemblies, through their sub-committees, harmonisd enca o-ordinate
plans and activities of all decentralised ministries. They also facilitate grassroots participa-
d contmiaomn unity involvemn esnoi tcio-economic development programd amnctaeivsi -
ties.
e hDT istrict Assembliee srga enerally supportivef oa ctivitiesf od ecentralised departments.
For example, district assemblies provide funding for National Immunization Days (NID) for
e ehratdice ianrtasiof tpodrnuo nmlaie oc ehont nntasit lrucd stniuoapn ervisiof sonc hools,
Kumasi Ventilated Improvement Pit-latrines (KVIPs), among others, and therefore present
a good opportunr moitfyu lti-sectoral action.
Undoubtede Dhlyti, strict Assemblies we vbiel lry imp eoihmrtt pnailnet mentadtinoan
sustainaba ilmi tfoyu lti-sectoral respons oetH IV/AIDS. This opport toubnne siaethyn
adequately explored and exploited. The focus at the district level will, however, require the
re-orientation and capacity-building of its stakeholders.
1.2 Review of the National Response to HIV/AIDS in Ghana
HIV/AIDS in Ghana was first managed as a disease rather than a developmental issue.
The national response has, consequently, been medically-oriented nddai recethet ydb
Ministryf o Health (MOH)e h.Te arliest national response ht eseaw stablishmeneht fto
National Advisory Commissionn o AIDS (NACA)n i 1985o t advise governmentn o HIV/
AIDS issue n1se I9N .h8at7 tional AIDS Control Programme (NAs eaCswPta) blishsead
H ! HIV/AIDS STRAGETIC FRAMEWORK