Much of HIV UEA’s work is aimed at influencing the policy-making process in relation to HIV/AIDS in developing countries. This is particularly reflected in its third theme of ‘Pro-poor policy and practice’. In Uganda, for example, Steven Russell and Janet Seeley have worked in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on research that examines ART clients’ lives and livelihoods and their adjustment to living with HIV as a chronic condition. The findings from this study will inform complementary interventions that support people taking ART and enable them to rebuild relationships and economic endeavours. In South Africa Max Bachmann has been working with the Free State Department of health to evaluate ART delivery in order to improve policy and practice. Also, Janet Seeley’s research on Livelihood trajectories and HIV in Uganda, funded by ESRC and MRC in 2006-2008 has caught the attention of the Economics and Social Development division of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the Unit Nations, which is now supporting further research on the impact of the AIDS on agricultural systems in East Africa. This is feeding directly into policy discussions on impact mitigation.
Policy engagement is also a feature of HIV UEA’s other research themes. For example, with poverty reduction at the centre of development agencies' targets and strategies, developing a better understanding of the social and economic burden of illness for households and societies, and the factors mitigating the socio-economic impacts of HIV/AIDS, is highly relevant to social protection policy.
In terms of ‘risk, susceptibility and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS’, a current research project on fisheries and HIV/AIDS in Africa has a strong policy focus. It is part of a three-year programme implemented by the WorldFish Centre and FAO. This programme will advise and influence policies and institutions to better facilitate strategic, coordinated and sustainable responses to HIV and AIDS in the fisheries sector, including in difficult environments such as the DRC. Another example is a longitudinal study assessing the impact of HIV-infection on rural households in Uganda. One of its aims has been to contribute to policy formulation and programmatic interventions by creating a better understanding of the dynamics of vulnerability, determining which household compositions are able to best absorb orphans, and identifying the specific needs of orphaned children.
HIV UEA has been working with different stakeholders, such as government bodies, non-governmental organisations and donor agencies. These include for example:
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Research Unit on AIDS in Uganda (MRC/UVRI)
The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) of Uganda
Ugandan Ministry of Health
WorldFish Centre
