Recognizing the hidden: strengthening the HIV surveillance system among key and priority populations in Mozambique

Abstract

High quality, representative data from HIV surveillance systems that have country ownership and commitment are critical for guiding national HIV responses, especially among key and priority populations given their disproportionate role in the transmission of the virus. Between 2011 to 2013, the Mozambique Ministry of Health has conducted five Biobehavioral Surveillance Surveys among key populations (female sex workers, men who has sex with men and people who inject drugs) and priority populations (long distance truck drives and miners) as part of the national HIV surveillance system. We describe the experience of strengthening the HIV surveillance system among those populations through the implementation of these surveys in Mozambique. We document the lessons learned through the impact on coordination and collaboration; workforce development and institutional capacity building; data use and dissemination; advocacy and policy impact; financial sustainability and community impact. Key lessons learned include the importance of multisectoral collaboration, vital role of data to support key populations visibility and advocacy efforts, and institutional capacity building of government agencies and key populations organizations. Given that traditional surveillance methodologies from routine data often do not capture these hidden populations, it will be important to ensure that Biobehavioral Surveillance Surveys are an integral part of ongoing HIV surveillance activities in Mozambique.

Amplifying the HIV Risks - Patterns of alcohol and drugs among female sex workers and men who as sex with men in Mozambique

“…The pro le of FSW that use illicit drugs is consistent with what has been observed in other studies among KP in Mozambique, where drug use occurs more frequently in younger ages, individuals with higher number of sexual partners, and HIV and STI prevalence is higher among those that use drugs (10,24). Several additional studies demonstrate that there is a strong relationship between substance use and unsafe sexual practices that increases the risk for HIV and STIs.…”

“…In this method, an initial respondent is recruited based on network size and they are issued coupons and asked to invite additional participants from within their network. More details about the survey methodology are described elsewhere (10).…”

Prevalence and correlates of hazardous alcohol drinking and drug use among female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Mozambique

“…An estimator is used to produce weights for each participant that are used to generate population proportions of estimates and corresponding standard errors. Details about the survey methodology are described elsewhere [ 19 ].…”

“…The BBS surveys carried out with FSW in Mozambique included young women aged 15–17. This decision is well documented and was made after careful consideration, drawing on evidence from previous research indicating that this data is crucial for devising effective policies and programs targeted at this high-risk HIV group [ 19 , 21 – 23 ].…”

The status quo on existing routine health information management systems that have incorporated key population unique identifier codes in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for systematic review

“…High quality, representative data from HIV surveillance systems that have country ownership and commitment are critical for guiding national HIV responses, especially among KPs given their disproportionate role in the transmission of the virus [11]. Key Population specific data are more important than ever to guide the HIV response toward reaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.…”