Combatting HIV/AIDS in Tanzania

Executive Summary:

Tanzania, along with much of Sub-Saharan Africa, is faced by health challenges specifically relating to the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and treatment of people with the disease. While the percentage of the adult population infected with HIV has decreased in the last few years, Tanzania still has one of the highest percentages of people with HIV in the world, and treating HIV positive people remains a challenge. Stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS presents obstacles for care, especially for marginalized groups such as drug users, the LGBTQ community, people with low education levels, and people living in rural areas. Among these groups, the economic and social price for treatment can endanger people’s livelihoods, HIV positive people are often more stigmatized than in the general Tanzanian population, and physical absolute distance from care is often greater for these populations. Many of the negative beliefs surrounding HIV are related to faith practice, such as the widely held belief that HIV/AIDS is punishment for sinning and praying will cure HIV/AIDS. Because care will never be truly accessible until the stigma surrounding HIV positive people is reduced, this report proposes the Tanzanian government administer a Comprehensive Sex Education Program to be presented across the country in every school and in partnership with faith groups and current healthcare providers in every ward. This program will cover safe sex practices, consent, unsafe relationships, HIV, and treatment for HIV. Faith group leaders, volunteers from different communities, and staff members will engage in trainings held twice a year to observe progress and efficacy of the program. While this project will not result directly in vast increases in HIV/AIDS treatment immediately, this program aims to erode some of the problematic beliefs preventing Tanzanians from receiving the care they need. Two years following the inception of the program, efficacy research will commence to evaluate the program, enabling changes if needed.

My Storymap focuses on the multisectoral approach to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in Tanzania, as well as some of the social, cultural, and spatial gaps in this approach. Red, the color of the points, is the color of solidarity for HIV/AIDS prevention. External links are provided for further information on how different stakeholders are addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in Tanzania. Click here to view the Storymap!