1. Mobilisation
We partner with community groups, civil society organizations and health care workers in pursuit of an integrated, human rights-based public health implementation strategy. We do this by working with communities in discovering the tools and mechanism of effectively engaging with the HIV prevention research process.
Using the GPP guidelines, we unpack concepts and protocols that ensure people are equipped to play a meaningful role in affirming and determining their own health outcomes. In this sense, we provide the bridge that links high-level policy, research programs and scientific agenda with the ultimate users of products and services.
We work with communities in advocating from an empowered position, thereby ensuring that research agendas reflect stakeholder needs and interests.
AVAC is our primary collaborating partner as part of the global agenda to accelerate the ethical development and global delivery of HIV prevention tools for a comprehensive and integrated response to the epidemic.
We are members of the Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR), dedicated to leveraging and building local assets in Africa.
We work with our community network to collectively build local structures and strengthen HIV prevention advocacy activities and push for public health outcomes. This is a critical, yet often under-funded element given the impact that research and evidence have on policy and practice.
Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa
2. Capacity Building
At APHA we undertake systematic capacity building of our stakeholders with the aim of promoting better collaboration efforts that in turn lead to better health outcomes as follows:
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Working with civil society at national, regional, provincial, local and grassroots levels to improve understanding of HIV prevention research, interventions, prevention-related services and coordination for key and vulnerable communities;
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Improving the skills of community-based and facility-based health workers through training workshops and mentorship program to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of a comprehensive HIV prevention service;
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Providing technical support to government, developmental agencies and other implementers at local, district and national levels to improve the delivery of HIV prevention services to citizens.
3. Community Engagement
At APHA we recognize that communities are central in the development and implementation of effective interventions that are meant for them. A respectful, trusting, empowering environment is therefore a critical component of all sustainable health outcomes. Our work ensures that researchers are fully equipped with the necessary background and information that allows them to be mindful and considerate of communities’ social, economic and cultural contexts in the development process.
We also ensure that the rights and interests of trial participants are protected and that their communities (who are the eventual end users) are represented and partake throughout the process from conceptualization and research to rollout of HIV prevention products. This approach is based on respect and integrity for people and process, and delivers the levels of community engagement required to yield rigorous research results that are trusted by, and useful to communities.
The recent positive results that have emerged out of the HPTN 083 study (May 2020) is a testament to the power of strong, credible connections with communities most affected by HIV and AIDS, and the vital role they play in shaping an effective response to managing the disease.
4. Policy Engagement
Develop and advocate for policies that support efficient and ethical development, introduction and use of new HIV prevention options to key and vulnerable populations.
Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa
Our Work
At APHA, we work collaboratively with national, regional and global advocacy groups as equal partners in support of a world that is free of HIV. Focusing primarily on South Africa, we continuously learn, develop and document best practices around HIV prevention, research and programming in our quest for accessible, affordable and effective development and delivery of evidence-based mechanisms.
Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa
AVAC is our primary collaborating partner as part of the global agenda to accelerate the ethical development and global delivery of HIV prevention tools for a comprehensive and integrated response to the epidemic.
We are members of the Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR), dedicated to leveraging and building local assets in Africa.
We work with our community network to collectively build local structures and strengthen HIV prevention advocacy activities and push for public health outcomes. This is a critical, yet often under-funded element given the impact that research and evidence have on policy and practice.
Our work ensures that the rights and interests of trial participants, eventual users and communities are represented and respected throughout the process, from research to rollout. This is especially relevant when it comes to the large-scale implementation of innovative preventative solutions in contexts that may be different from the research environments. We advocate for HIV research and development that recognises the multiplicity of a response that does not rely solely on biomedical interventions, but is geared towards the social and economic realities of affected communities.
Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa
Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa
Our work ensures that the rights and interests of trial participants, eventual users and communities are represented and respected throughout the process, from research to rollout. This is especially relevant when it comes to the large-scale implementation of innovative preventative solutions in contexts that may be different from the research environments. We advocate for HIV research and development that recognises the multiplicity of a response that does not rely solely on biomedical interventions, but is geared towards the social and economic realities of affected communities.