Policy
Global policy support for both HIV and FP has increased in recent years with commitments and goals set by the global health community. In 2014, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS’ (UNAIDS) launched a set of ambitious targets, known as the 90-90-90 Goals, to set the world on track to ending AIDS by 2030. To achieve the goals, the following targets must be met by 2020:- 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status
- 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy
- 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression
How can FP/HIV Integration Contribute to the 90-90-90 Goals?
About 885 million women in the developing world wish to avoid a pregnancy, and about three-quarters of them are using a modern method of FP. However, more than 214 million women still have an unmet need for FP. Among women at risk of HIV and those who are HIV-positive, access to FP is even more limited. Ensuring that women at risk of and living with HIV have access to voluntary FP services supports the 90-90-90 goals. For example, FP/HIV integration:
- Enables women interested in receiving both HIV testing and FP services to obtain them conveniently in one location
- Prevents unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women who wish to delay or limit childbearing, thereby reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV
- Serves the holistic needs of HIV-positive women and priority populations, thereby helping them to remain engaged in and adherent to HIV treatment programs until viral supression is achieved.
The beneficiaries of FP/HIV integration include serodiscordant couples, HIV-positive women and couples, key populations, adolescent girls, and young women. Integrating FP and HIV services can help ensure that these vulnerable populations can access critical information and services that empower them to fulfill their reproductive health needs and goals, while contributing to global efforts to end AIDS in the near future.
This section of the Family Planning and HIV Services Integration Toolkit houses an array of policy resources, including information about:
Many donor and bilateral agencies support either integrated services or linkages among FP, sexual and reproductive health, and HIV policies, programs, or services. The materials in this section of the Toolkit explore the role and guidelines of major funders and multilateral organizations around FP/HIV integration.
International consensus exists on the need for linkages between FP and HIV services, and international and national policies provide guidance and support for integration. Such policies can help create an enabling environment and specific structures for integrating services into vertically organized programs. Resources are available to help governments and organizations develop policies and guidelines on FP/HIV integration.
The policy briefs available in this section of the toolkit make the case for integration of FP and HIV services at the national level, emphasizing the need for both supportive policy and adequate funding to support this evidence-based practice.
As more countries expand integrated services, some have developed policies or guidelines for ministry of health personnel and other health providers to follow.