A Performance Evaluation of the National HIV Prevention Program for FSW and MSM in Ghana

Author(s):

Year: 2014

Abstract:

This evaluation was conducted as a mid-point assessment by MEASURE Evaluation and the University of Ghana School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission, in order to describe the achievements and challenges of the ongoing implementation of the National HIV Prevention Program for female sex workers (FSW) and men whohave sex with men (MSM) in Ghana.

This performance evaluation employed a mixed-methods approach in order to assess the following key study aims:

• describe how services are being delivered;
• document barriers and facilitators to accessing health services for MSM and FSW as well as the      larger structural influences on sexual and health seeking behaviors such as stigma and discrimination;
• assess whether organizations directly providing services to FSW and MSM have standard operating      procedures, functional supervision mechanisms, monitoring and reporting systems, and administrative, management, and planning capacity; and
• document efforts to increase stakeholder and organizational coordination and to address social,      cultural, religious, political, and legal barriers to HIV prevention efforts among FSW and MSM.

Study findings suggest that while some greater capacity building and standardization could improve data collection and reporting and standardize service availability, organizations are striving to adhere to the service package and to provide a high quality product. This effort has resulted in high demand for services and a positive reputation for respectful treatment and confidentiality among FSW and MSM. Overall, recommendations focus on the ways in which the program can continue to be strengthened and expanded to better meet demand for services without sacrificing the reputation for service quality upon which that demand is predicated.