Lafort Y., Geelhoed D., Cumba L., Lzaro C.D.D.M., Delva W., Luchters S., Temmerman M.
International Centre for Reproductive Health, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Provincial Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Tete, Mozambique; South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Lafort, Y., International Centre for Reproductive Health, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Geelhoed, D., International Centre for Reproductive Health, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Cumba, L., Provincial Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Tete, Mozambique; Lzaro, C.D.D.M., Provincial Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Tete, Mozambique; Delva, W., International Centre for Reproductive Health, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium, South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Luchters, S., International Centre for Reproductive Health, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Temmerman, M., International Centre for Reproductive Health, University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
Background. Different models exist to provide HIV/STI services for most-at-risk populations (MARP). Along the Tete traffic corridor in Mozambique, linking Malawi and Zimbabwe, a night clinic opening between 4 and 10 PM was established targeting female sex workers (FSW) and long-distance truck drivers (LDD). The clinic offers free individual education and counselling, condoms, STI care, HIV testing, contraceptive services and outreach peer education. To evaluate this clinic model, we assessed relevance, service utilisation, efficiency and sustainability. Methods. In 2007-2009, mapping and enumeration of FSW and LDD was conducted; 28 key informants were interviewed; 6 focus group discussions (FGD) were held with FSW from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and LDD from Mozambique and Malawi. Clinic outputs and costs were analysed. Results. An estimated 4,415 FSW work in the area, or 9% of women aged 15-49, and on average 66 trucks stay overnight near the clinic. Currently on average, 475 clients/month visit the clinic (43% for contraception, 24% for counselling and testing and 23% for STI care). The average clinic running cost is US$ 1408/month, mostly for human resources. All informants endorsed this clinic concept and the need to expand the services. FGD participants reported high satisfaction with the services and mentioned good reception by the health staff, short waiting times, proximity and free services as most important. Participants were in favour of expanding the range of services, the geographical coverage and the opening times. Conclusions. Size of the target population, satisfaction of clients and endorsement by health policy makers justify maintaining a separate clinic for MARP. Cost-effectiveness may be enhanced by broadening the range of SRHR-HIV/AIDS services, adapting opening times, expanding geographical coverage and targeting additional MARP. Long-term sustainability remains challenging and requires private-public partnerships or continued project-based funding. © 2010 Lafort et al.
adolescent; adult; article; attitude to health; female; health care delivery; health care quality; health education; health service; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; male; middle aged; motor vehicle; Mozambique; organization and management; patient satisfaction; prostitution; sexual behavior; statistics; traffic and transport; utilization review; vulnerable population; Adolescent; Adult; After-Hours Care; Attitude to Health; Contraception Behavior; Efficiency, Organizational; Female; Health Education; Health Services Accessibility; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Vehicles; Mozambique; Patient Satisfaction; Prostitution; Quality of Health Care; Reproductive Health Services; Transportation; Utilization Review; Vulnerable Populations; Young Adult