Background

According to the national survey conducted by the Sudan National AIDS Programme SNAP in 2002, Sudan is the most severely affected country in North Africa and the Middle East with an estimated 500,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, and mostly in need of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite the fact that the epidemiological data is limited, it is believed that the country is in the early stages of a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an almost exclusively heterosexual transmission pattern. The adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS has been estimated at 1.6%, with specific population group prevalence rates ranging from 0.5% to 2.5% in the northern part of the country.

The 2002 survey showed a low awareness of HIV/AIDS, with only 53% of the population being aware of the sexual transmission risk of HIV/AIDS, and a total of 640,000 individuals being infected with HIV. It has been reported that 0.5% limited sentinel surveillance testing during 2004 yielded prevalence rates of 0.95% (18/1900) among pregnant women, 1.9% (9/465) among symptomatic STD patients, and 2.3% (33/1436) among TB patients. False beliefs about HIV transmission were common as were indicators of strong stigma. In fact 44% of respondents said that they would not share a meal with an infected individual, 31% would not nurse a patient, and 30% would not allow an infected child or teacher to attend school.

To address the HIV/AIDS situation in Sudan, UNDP, with the support of the Global Fund to Fights AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), launched in April 2005 Fighting HIV/AIDS in Sudan project.

Objectives
The project’s ultimate objective is to contribute to reducing HIV/AIDS transmission and mortality in Sudan.

With this in mind, the project’s specific objectives are as follows:
• To increase the prevalence of safe behaviour among vulnerable populations with a focus on female sex workers, tea sellers, long-distance truck drivers and jail inmates.
• To establish Voluntary, Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) services and quality Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and support centres for people living with AIDS.
• To improve knowledge and practice of HIV/AIDS preventive measures by the general adult population during 2004/08, including the use of high quality care services for sexually transmitted infections (STI).
• To improve screening of blood and blood products for HIV and other blood born infections.
• To improve knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission among in-school youth.
• To monitor the trend of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through Second Generation Surveillance in selected high-risk population groups, by measuring behavioural and biological parameters and guide programme planners to realign the programme interventions in line with current and future epidemic trends.

Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• A total of 332,045 people from vulnerable groups reached by community outreach activities.
• Free distribution of 3,130,721 condoms with GF resources.
• A total of 9,992 Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) cases treated among vulnerable groups during outreach activities.
• A total of 728 lay and professional counselors trained in Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers (VCT).
• A total of 75,275 people completed the testing and counseling process.
• A total of 410 service deliverers trained in ARV treatment and treatment of opportunistic infections.
• Antiretroviral combination therapy provided at 32 service delivery points.
• A total of 3,217 people with advanced HIV infection received ARV combination therapy.
• Diagnosis and treatment for opportunistic infections with GF Support (combined indicator) provided to 5,013 people with HIV infection.
• A total of 2,092 health/community workers received training on interpersonal communications.
• A total of 1,194 Health Community Professionals trained in syndromes approach to STIs.
• Global Fund supported points treated 76,184 STI cases.
• A total of 356 service deliverers trained (blood bank staff trained in screening of blood for HIV/HBV and HCV)
• A total of 622,035 transfused blood units screened for HIV/HBV.
• A total of 3,373 individuals trained to deliver youth education including trainers, school teachers and counselors of drop-in-center.
• A total of 232 schools and drop-in centers providing life-based HIV/AIDS education.
• HIV/AIDS education in Out-of-School settings using GFATM resources was provided to 239,747 young people.
• HIV/AIDS education reached 84,059 young people in school settings.
• A total of 35 sentinel sites established.
• Second generation surveillance taught to 208 service deliverers.