HIV/AIDS
The Manoff Group has applied its innovative behavior-centered approach to many aspects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, tailoring activities to each context. Our prevention work with vulnerable populations results in reduced infection risk, and we are achieving sustainable improvements in practices related to the care and treatment of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Targeted Prevention Strategies
The Manoff Group’s prevention approach focuses on behavior change activities that reduce high-risk behaviors and infection rates in vulnerable populations. Our prevention work encompasses five main areas:
- Reducing risk for adolescents
- Promoting condom use
- Comprehensive Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission
- Injection Safety
- Awareness and Advocacy
Care of HIV-affected Individuals
The Manoff Group has worked to enhance the lives of PLWHA, their families, and community members through improved nutrition and hygiene practices and through activities to reduce fear, stigma, and discrimination. Our behavior change activities have included training on how to discuss test results with a partner and research on overcoming obstacles to disclosure, as well as training on proper disclosure for medical professionals.
Key Practices for Effective Treatment
As Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) programs scale up worldwide, there is increased concern about treatment adherence. The Manoff Group’s formative research and experience in Behavior-Centered ProgrammingSM and social marketing are ideal for addressing barriers to adherence, which include stigma, health care, drug access, and management of side effects. In addition, a widespread barrier to long-term adherence is feeling better, as this often causes HIV-infected individuals to stop treatment.
Mozambique: Making Medical Injections Safer
The Manoff Group works with the Ministry of Health in Mozambique to reduce unnecessary injections and to make injections safer for health staff, patients, and communities. We led the development of a highly participatory training program that engages health staff in understanding their risky practices and in devising feasible solutions. The approach encourages teamwork and the breaking down of barriers between various levels of staff.
Making Medical Injections Safer (MMIS)
Zambia: Medical Injection Safety Project
The Medical Injection Safety Project (MISP) aims to prevent the medical
transmission of HIV and other blood borne diseases by achieving appropriate safe injection practices through reducing unsafe and unnecessary injections. MISP is funded by USAID/PEPFAR and managed by Chemonics (2004–2009). The Manoff Group is a subcontractor, responsible for behavior change communication and advocacy, and plays an important role in capacity building and work with private providers. Manoff staff support the Zambian Ministry of Health in influencing behavior change among healthcare providers, clients, patients, and community members to reduce the demand for and use of unnecessary injections.
Click here to read about BCC Advisor Answell Chipukuma's work on MISP.
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