the aids support organization taso taso uganda (ltd). p.o box 10443, kampala tel: +256 414 532580/1,...

THE AIDS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION TASO

TASO Uganda (Ltd). P.O Box 10443, Kampala Tel: +256 414 532580/1, Fax +256 414 541288 Email: [email protected]. Website: www.tasouganda.org

The Youth Link, a Service delivery model in getting

HIV/AIDS services to the adolescents (10-19 Years) - The

AIDS Support Organization (TASO) experience.

Authors: Aanyu Caroline, Tebigwa Betty, Logose Barbra

19th June 2015



The Youth Link is a designated place at the health facility

where adolescents meet and share on various issues affecting

them

All adolescents are welcome to the Youth Link

A fellow adolescent is always available during working days

to offer the necessary support



Map of Uganda showing TASO sites

MmM



BackgroundThe highest proportion of new HIV cases occurs between

the ages of 10-19 years (Uganda AIDS Commission Report

- 2014)

Adolescents are becoming sexually active at a young age

thus increasing the risk of HIV amongst this group.

Most of the adolescents are unwilling to seek medical care

and HCT despite the increased global commitment to

control and prevent the HIV/AIDS epidemic



Background cont

The service delivery models for adolescent care

are still a challenge in most Health facilities

This model therefore aimed to explore the impact

of the Youth Link on the up take of HIV/AIDS

services by adolescents



Program description: TASO started a Youth Link in 2013 alongside the Pediatric and adult clinic Handles adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19 years Registration,Counseling, HCT, referral services, Peer education, testimony sharing, play, among others are activities carried out by trained personnel A fellow adolescent represents the others at the governess board

.

Adolescents having a group session with a counsellor



Lessons learnedThe number of adolescents accessing HIV/AIDS services has

increased from1594 in 2013 (859 Female, 735 Male) to 1839 in

2015 (997 Female, 842 Male)

This model has encouraged numerous children and adolescents

handle HIV related challenges such as reproductive health,

disclosure, adherence, HCT, among others with out stigma or

discrimination

Peer educators have been mentored hence improvement of

sexual behavior among the adolescents

.



Conclusion With the introduction of the Youth Link model at TASO Mbale, it has enormously contributed to the up take of HIV/AIDS services by the adolescents

.



Acknowledgement Organizers of the PSS conference, Zimbabwe Ministry of Health (Uganda) TASO donors TASO management team and staff The adolescents TASO clients

.



In Partnership With;

the aids support organization taso taso uganda (ltd). p.o box 10443, kampala tel: +256 414 532580/1,...

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