2. INCREASING ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF HIV TESTING SERVICES: BEST PRACTICES DOCUMENTED DURING THE ROLL-OUT OF THE ‘FIRST 90‘ CAMPAIGN IN THE EASTERN REGION OF GHANA
Asante, Golda Grace1, El-Adas A.2, Abrokwah, E.1 Badu Ofori S3.,Nani R.3, Addo-Tetebo G3, Ohene-Adjei C.4
Technical Support Unit of Ghana AIDS Commission, Eastern Region, Ghana, Independent Consultant, Accra, Ghana, Ghana Health Service, Eastern Region, Ghana, Ghana AIDS Commission, Accra, Ghana

3. OUTLINE
Introduction
Issues
Description
Results
Next Steps

4. INTRODUCTION
Eastern Region (ER) of Ghana has a population of 2,633,154 (2010 Pop Census)
Region has borne the brunt of AIDS epidemic- Prevalence of 2.6% and 2.4% National-2016 HIV Sentinel Surveillance
HIV testing rate in Ghana is very low i.e. 20% in male and 43% in female GDHS
Ghana launched a National “First 90” Campaign in March, 2016 and the ten administrative Regions initiated actions
This paper shares the best practices documented during the roll out of the “First 90” Campaign in ER

5. ISSUES HIV testing services (HTS) was low
Testing rate in the Eastern region was low (42.5% women and 23.7% men knew their status – 2014 GDHS)
Increasing access to HTS is critical in achieving the targets by 2020

6. DESCRIPTION
To achieve the “First 90” target, the Technical Support Unit (TSU) of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), ER:
Initiated the roll-out with a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting
A Comprehensive Plan developed
Stakeholders adopted innovative strategies such as:
events and location based approach to reach both key and general populations
High burdened areas

7. RESULTS
37,050
Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) Materials Distributed
526 (1.1%)
Positive clients linked to treatment and retained into care
Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) Materials Distributed

8. BEST PRACTICES/LESSONS LEARNT
Effective mobilization of communities for testing- Traditional Leaders, peer educators, PLHIV and Information Services Department
Multiple testing service points
Expansion of testing to non-traditional location such as House-to-house and night testing
Adopted holistic HTS concept-Promotion of lubricants, female and male condoms
Active involvement of the media
Involvement of community lay counselors
Strengthening linkages to care using a two-way referral tracking tool
Reaching people in their comfort zone especially during festive occasions can lead to increase HTS utilization

9. NEXT STEPS
The best practices would be replicated in other communities especially those in resource limited settings
The TSU will engage private sectors to raise additional funds for HTS outreaches
Follow up on positive clients to achieve the second and third 90 targets

10. Acknowledgement
Ghana AIDS Commission- First 90 Coordinator, Mr. John Eliasu Mahama
Ghana Health Services
Municipal and District HIV Focal Persons
Bread and Roses Community Fund, Philadelphia
Johnson and Johnson & amref Health Africa (MDI Program)