HIV/AIDS

More than 95% of people with HIV are in developing countries. People in poor communities are at increased risk because of the effects of poverty – lack of knowledge and awareness, lack of prevention services, lack of counselling and testing, lack of access to treatment and ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs), high levels of stigma and discrimination. Women are at a higher risk of infection than men because of gender inequality – meaning they have less choice over their sexual and reproductive health. Infected children are less likely to have their basic needs met and are more likely to be sick or malnourished, suffer psychological trauma, lag behind in a series of developmental outcomes, endure abuse and become HIV positive. NOXCOH aims to prevent infection by educating girls and boys on sexual and reproductive health. We ensure people have enough to eat and help people living with HIV to earn an income through livelihoods training and support. We provide condoms, voluntary counselling and testing and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. We advocate for policy changes to reduce discrimination and improve health support. And we help sex workers protect themselves from HIV infection and from violent discrimination by clients, police and others. NOXCOH’s programmes on child health support children at risk of HIV to live healthier lives and aim to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.