Horizons 2021 Annual Impact Report

HSHU’s PILLARS OF PROGRAMMING: HSHU aims to mitigate opportunity disparities faced by Bridgeport families in a county with the largest opportunity gap in the nation. Our organization provides support and empowerment to 168 Bridgeport students through three powerful pillars of programming. These pillars include a K-8 six-week summer program, a K-8 school year program, and a high school program offered in partnership Horizons Bridgeport. Each pillar provides equitable opportunities that include joyful academic and social-emotional learning, and establishing citizenship within community

Ndola Demonstration Project: A midterm analysis of lessons learned

This report summarizes baseline and midterm findings of an intervention pilot study conducted by Horizons, LINKAGES, National Food and Nutrition Commission, District Health Management Team, Hope Humana, and the Zambia Integrated Health Program in Ndola District, Zambia. The aim of the research is to investigate how integrating services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCT) of HIV into low-resource maternal and child health (MCH) and antenatal care (ANC) settings influences women’s ability to make and implement informed decisions about HIV. The intervention strengthened routine services and introduced HIV voluntary counseling and testing and PMCT counseling and services into the MCH/ANC setting. Exclusive breastfeeding was promoted for all mothers with infants below six months of age

Microfinance and households coping with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe: An exploratory study

The widespread prevalence of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa adversely affects millions of households. In recent years, microfinance has been proposed as a strategy to help the households of microentrepreneurs respond to the negative economic impacts of HIV/AIDS. This attention to the potential role of microfinance builds upon earlier research that shows that microfinance institutions (MFIs) that charge commercial rates of interest and use sound business practices can become operationally self-sustainable and help improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable nonpoor. This type of MFI generally offers small loans, often combined with savings services. An MFI may also offer business management training, health and nutrition education, and other types of services. This brief presents findings from a study conducted in Zimbabwe that sought to better understand the relationship between a microfinance program, Zambuko Trust, and how microentrepreneurs’ households cope with the impact of HIV/AIDS. The study also examined how HIV/AIDS is affecting Zambuko’s operations and what MFIs can do to lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS on their clients and operations

Strengthening care and support services in the era of treatment: Symposium report

Sub-Saharan Africa has been devastated by the AIDS epidemic, with almost 26 million people infected in the region. As international attention continues to focus on sub-Saharan Africa as the region most affected by AIDS, hopeful signs have emerged, such as increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although the availability of ART has greatly increased in South Africa, care and support services continue to play a critical role in the lives of people infected and affected by HIV. In response to a growing call from program managers and researchers in South Africa to engage in a dialogue with policymakers and donors about strengthening care and support services, the Horizons Program organized a symposium in November 2005 in Johannesburg. The symposium was designed to review current research and field experiences to identify ways to strengthen care and support programs, and to link them with treatment services. It also aimed to identify research, program, and policy gaps and priorities. This symposium report focuses on key issues highlighted by participants, and includes research, policy, and program recommendations

Meeting the sexual health needs of men who have sex with men in Senegal

Research conducted in many countries has highlighted the vulnerability of men who have sex with men (MSM) to HIV and other STIs. Yet in Africa, they receive little attention in HIV/AIDS programming and service delivery because of widespread denial and stigmatization of homosexual behavior. In Senegal, a study conducted by researchers from the National AIDS Control Program, Cheikh Anta Diop University, and the Horizons Program has provided valuable information about the needs, behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes of MSM that has important implications for program managers and policymakers working to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS. The researchers used ethnographic and survey methods to elicit information from MSM 18 years of age or older from several neighborhoods in Dakar. As noted in this brief, the research team examined their own preconceived notions about sexuality, working through prejudices and taboos, and stressing the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of informants. All interviews were anonymous and informants were asked to provide oral informed consent. Informants received a small stipend to cover travel costs, information on STIs and HIV/AIDS, and a referral for a free medical consultation and treatment

The female condom: Dynamics of use in urban Zimbabwe

In July 1997, Population Services International (PSI), at the request of the Zimbabwe National AIDS Coordination Programme, launched a social marketing program for the female condom in Zimbabwe. The campaign\u27s intended audience was women in long-term relationships. To avoid the stigma associated with condoms and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, PSI marketed the female condom as a family planning product under the brand name Care™. Approximately one year after the start of the female condom social marketing campaign, the Horizons Program and PSI conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study of female condom users, male condom users, and nonusers of either barrier method. At the time of the study, the female condom was being marketed in urban Zimbabwe through radio, TV, and print media, and sold through selected sales outlets, including pharmacies, large supermarkets, and convenience stores at a subsidized price. As stated in this brief, the goal of this research was to increase understanding of the patterns and dynamics of female condom use to inform policymakers and program planners involved in decisions about promotion and distribution of the female condom in Zimbabwe

Greater involvement of PLHA In NGO service delivery: Findings from a four-country study

At the conclusion of the Paris AIDS Summit in 1994, 42 governments issued a declaration supporting the greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in policy formulation and service delivery. Despite growing recognition of its importance, there has been little research that examines PLHA involvement in the delivery of prevention, care, and support services in developing countries and its effects on PLHA, others affected by HIV/AIDS, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). To address this gap, the Horizons Program and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance conducted a study of PLHA involvement in NGOs in Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Maharashtra State, India, and Zambia between October 1998 and August 2001. As noted in this brief, the goal of the study was to identify the conditions that foster PLHA involvement and the strategies that organizations can use to achieve meaningful involvement of PLHA. Seventeen NGOs participated in the study, which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support. The NGOs chosen represent different types of organizations and a range of PLHA involvement