Background
Around 98,000 children in Uganda under the age of 15 were living with HIV when the Towards an AIDS Free Generation in Uganda (TAFU) programme started in 2015. 35% of children living with HIV nationally were not accessing HIV care and in some communities this figure was as high as 88.5%
Objectives
- Improve uptake and retention of pregnant and lactating women living with HIV and exposed infants in vertical transmission prevention services
- Increase HIV testing of children 0-14 years of age
- Increase access to and retention in life-long care and treatment for children living with HIV
Impact
- 23,935 household visits conducted by 1,097 trained village health teams
- 8,373 children (0-14 years) tested for HIV
- 2,567 children tested positive (30.6%) and enrolled in care
- 3,285 pregnant women enrolled in antenatal care including HIV testing and access to treatment
- 113 village savings and loans associations formed supporting 3,045 caregivers
- 25 village savings and loans associations formed to support village health teams
A cost-effectiveness study was conducted at the end of TAFU phase 2. This concluded that the cost-effectiveness ratio for the community-based TAFU interventions is on average 10 times more cost-effective than the WHO recommended threshold. The estimated cost savings from infections averted due to the TAFU intervention was US$310,000.
A social return on investment analysis was conducted at the end of TAFU phase 3. In total TAFU phase 3 has led to the creation of circa €9.5 millions of social value. Of this €1.6 million is directly attributable to TAFU 3. Around three-quarters of the value is created through the avoidance of HIV for children of women living with HIV who take part in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme. For every €1 invested in TAFU, an estimated €3.40 is created, which represents good value for money.
About the Kids to Care Model
Kids to Care is a four-stage model that has been further developed by community-based partners in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and Nigeria since 2018. The Aidsfonds Kids to Care model empowers communities to strengthen the links between communities and health facilities to find, test, treat and retain children, and pregnant and lactating mothers, living with HIV. The model is built on the following foundational principles:
- Community-owned and community-led
- Builds on existing community structures
- Child and family centred
- Builds on government frameworks and policies
- Key stakeholders are meaningfully involved from the beginning
- Interventions are informed by data
- Committed to sustainability and long-term support
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