GLOBAL FUND MALARIA ROUND 4 PHASE PROJECT

Malaria has continued to be a major public health burden in Nigeria, contributing to high morbidity and mortality especially among the vulnerable groups. It is estimated that children under 5 years of age have 2-4 episodes of malaria annually. Malaria accounts for 30% of childhood deaths and 11% maternal mortality. Transmission of malaria is stable and perennial in all parts of the country.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has approved the funding of the second phase of the round 4 malaria project in Nigeria, scheduled to run from 2001 to 2009. The aim of the Global Fund Program is to contribute significantly to the reduction of malaria, morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age and pregnant women in 18 states over a period 0f two years. Society for family health has been chosen as the principal recipient for the behavior change communication (BCC) component of the project. Under this component is social mobilization of communities in all the LGAs of the 18 participating states on malaria control.

YMCA – SFH SOCIAL MOBILISATION PARTNERSHIP (BAUCHI)

YMCA and SFH through a memorandum of Understanding will partner for one year (July2010 – June 2011) to mobilize and bring about increase in informed demand and use of malaria prevention and treatment, products and by supporting community mobilization activities in Seven (7) LGAs of Bauchi State. The LGAs include: Bauchi, Alkaleri, Kirfi, Toro, Bogoro, Tafawa Balewa and Dass.
YMCA-SFH partnership has the following objectives:

• Increased number of communities reached by advocacy and social mobilization through community outreach/ drama.
• Increased proportion of care givers who recognize the symptoms of uncomplicated malaria.
• Proportion of caregivers who can mention at least one preventive measure against malaria.
• Proportion of caregivers who recognize the kite sign and know that quality and affordable antimalaria drugs and long lasting insecticidal treated nets are available in private health facilities, designated pharmacy shops and PPMVS in their localities at the recommended prices.

COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED APPROACH TO HIV PREVENTION AND CARE IN NIGERIA (CIPHAC) PROGRAM.

CIPHAC is a four and half year program which is funded by the Department for the United Agency for International Development (USAID).
The goal of the CIPHAC program is to create, strengthen and support the adoption of healthy reproductive and HIV prevention behaviour among the poor and Most At Risk Populations (MARPs).

CIPHAC Objectives

• Increase behaviors conducive to the prevention of HIV/STI transmission among MARPs
• Create an enabling environment for behaviour change and program sustainability in collaboration with other partners.
• Reduce stigma and discrimination against People Living With HIV/AIDS
• Increase access to HCT services.

The project uses targeted communication (BCC) activities such as peer Education, road shows/dramas, and development of target specific materials to promote positive behaviour change. The key messages for each target groups are as follows:

• In-school youths -----------------abstinence
• Out –of school youths ----------Abstinence, be faithful (+consistent condom use)
• Sex workers -----------------------consistence condom use &STI treatment
• Transport workers --------------be faithful & consistence condom use
• Uniformed services--------------be faithful & consistence condom use
• General population--a combination or as specific for ach group within the general population.

The project fosters partnership with key stakeholders of the target groups, e.g. brothel owners, National Union of Road Transport Worker, Police Community relations committees, Parent- Teacher Association, Faith Based Organizations and the Armed Forces Program on AIDS, to create an enabling environment for program implementation.

KYAUTATA WA IYLI KI PROJECT PHSE IV(FAMILY  PLANNING)
YMCA will as an overlap from the previous KI project with funding from CEDPA implement a fifteen month (may 2010 – July 2011) project as a sustainability phase to sustain activities on the use of family planning and reproductive health services activities on the use of family planning and reproductive health services among couples and youth in Northern Nigeria. The phase of the project is to compliment the Kyautata Wa Iyali Project Phase IV, and serve as an exit to KI Project.

Using the same but improved strategies, YMCA will use a two – pronged approach of demand creation and service delivery, YMCA Youth Advocates will conduct one-on-one education and organize group talks, community sessions and pay advocacy visits to community and opinion leaders, YMCA will strengthen family planning activities by conducting refresher training for youth advocates comprising of past CHEWS who worked on the project before and are resident in the intervention communities.

YMCA will empower families and communities through participation- while improving their Knowledge about how to prevent, recognize and treat  malaria – sensitize the local population about preventing malaria through the use of insecticide- treated nets (ITNS) or treating it with Artemisinin –based Combination Therapy(ACT).

Issues of girl child education and their reproductive rights will be promoted, abstinence, as well as prevention of unwanted pregnancy. YMCA will work with the already trained advocates to closely work in the communities in a bid to maintain a sustainable community participatory management of the project together with the Religions leaders, influential women leaders, boys and girls leaders to enlist their support for the project.