The Integrated HIV Prevention and Health Services for Key and Priority Populations (PASSOS) project in Mozambique works to reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among key and priority populations.
This activity, led by FHI 360 in collaboration with local partners and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), provides quality, friendly, linked and integrated HIV prevention and treatment services across the continuum of care to those at an increased risk for HIV, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and incarcerated populations who are at high risk of contracting HIV and other STIs.
PASSOS works on services that can be scaled, can improve referrals and linkages with community and clinic-based services, and can strengthen the capacities of government and nongovernment partners. The project also strives to reduce social and structural barriers to services caused by stigma and discrimination. Special attention is given to continuous quality improvement to increase case identification, linkage to care and retention in treatment, especially for people who are hardest to reach.
The key objectives of PASSOS are:
- Increasing access to integrated and comprehensive HIV interventions and health services for key and priority populations
- Promoting an enabling environment that decreases social and structural barriers
- Strengthening mapping, monitoring and tracking systems
The project prioritizes the following activities:
- Increasing case identification through scaling up index case testing, the Enhanced Peer Outreach Approach (EPOA), social networks testing and HIV self-testing
- Increasing the linkage to treatment through enhanced case management and peer navigation
- Improving retention on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression by increasing access to differentiated psychosocial support services, treatment adherence support and intensive monitoring and follow-up of patients on ART
