Building upon its groundbreaking Somali HIV hot-spot mapping
research, IOM has started the first bio-behavioural HIV
surveillance survey in Somaliland, in collaboration with the World
Health Organization (WHO).  The surveillance will explore key
findings of the earlier research, with a focus on most-at-risk
populations (MARPS.)

The HIV hot-spot mapping was the first Somali research study to
identify and engage transactional sex workers and their clients,
including truck drivers, uniformed services, seafarers and militia.
Key findings indicated poor knowledge of how HIV is transmitted and
prevented, low condom use and multiple, concurrent sexual
partners.

HIV surveillance is widely regarded as the cornerstone of an
evidence-informed AIDS response. The ‘bio' component
establishes who is HIV-infected, which is then linked to
‘behavioural' indicators of risk practices, according to IOM
Hargeisa Head of Office Adrienne Testa.

The findings will guide the Somali HIV response to develop and
inform programmes for MARPs, including sex workers, truck drivers,
uniformed services and other vulnerable groups. Baseline prevalence
of risk behaviours and HIV infection will also be established.

The community-based surveillance among MARPs will complement WHO
HIV surveillance among Somaliland antenatal clinic attenders, says
Testa.

Data collection will start August 2008 to establish HIV and STI
prevalence, as well as HIV and STI risk perceptions, condom usage
patterns, barriers to condom usage, gender-based violence and
integrated health service needs, she notes.

The project, which is funded by the United Nations Children's
Fund (UNICEF), the Global Fund and UNAIDS, will initially be
conducted in Somaliland, but may be replicated in Puntland and
South Central, subject to additional funding. IOM's partner
organizations include the Somaliland National AIDS Commission
(SOLNAC.)

For further information, please contact:

Adrienne Testa

IOM Hargeisa

E-mail: "mailto:atesta@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">atesta@iom.int

or

Kelsi Kriitmaa

E-mail: "mailto:kkriitmaa@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">kkriitmaa@iom.int