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 KP visibility and advocacy efforts, and institutional capacity building of government agencies and KP organizations. Given that traditional surveillance methodologies from routine data often do not capture these hidden populations, it will be important to ensure that BBS surveys are an integral part of ongoing HIV surveillance activities in Mozambique.

Sexual Behaviour Risk Among Male Regular Partners of Female Sex Workers

“…The international community, including The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), suggests that public policies should adequately address the important underlying principles including non-discrimination and respect for human rights for successful implementation of programmes among these key populations [19]. However, MRPs are not a readily identifiable group, they are harder to reach than other men in the general population [20,21]. Consequently, targeting MRPs for prevention programs may be challenging [20].…”