Key Population Services (KPS)
Key Populations (KPs) are people that are at higher risk of being infected with HIV and other STI/RTI infections. In Zanzibar, three groups of people that have been documented to be at higher risk of acquiring HIV infection are Men having Sex with other Men (MSM), Sex Workers (SW) and People who inject drugs (PWID). KPs play a key role in driving HIV epidemic; hence their involvement in HIV interventions is vital to ensure an effective and sustainable HIV response. Besides, KPs are at higher risk of acquiring other infections such as syphilis and viral hepatitis. In Zanzibar, Ministry of Health (MoH) through Zanzibar Integrated HIV, TB and Leprosy Programme (ZIHTLP) is mandated to coordinate and implement all health services related KPs interventions.
HIV related interventions for KPs started in 2003 by involving peer educators in conducting home visit activities at community level so as to identify other KPs and provide HIV/STIs prevention education and condom distribution as well as refer detected HIV positive clients to care and treatment and other related clinics. To date there are a number of local NGOs, government ministries and departments in collaboration with other KPs stakeholders continuing to implement KPs intervention in Zanzibar. To date there are three KPs-friendly service centres situated at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, ZAYEDESA and Methadone Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic at Kidongo Chekundu Unguja.
Goals
The goal of KPs services in Zanzibar is to reduce new HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections and provide care, treatment and support to KPs.