Eswatini

Key Results in 2022-2023

The Government introduced long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and Dapivirine vaginal ring (DPV-VR) to prevent new HIV infections among women.
Close to 540 000 young people accessed health education via social media campaigns.
New standards and training guides on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services for adolescents and young people were developed.
The national life skill education curriculum and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) referral and linkage guidelines were updated.

Joint Programme Results

Eswatini with support from the Joint Programme continued to implement innovative initiatives to enhance access and quality of HIV as well as SRH services and literacy among people who are at substantial risk of HIV infection. The Government introduced long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and Dapivirine vaginal ring (DPV-VR) to prevent new HIV infections among women in line with the World Health Organization guidelines (WHO). The revised Adolescent Health Care Service Standards and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health training manual included new standards and training guides on PrEP services for adolescents and young people (UNICEF).

The Ministry of Education updated the national life skill education curriculum and developed SRH referral and linkage guidelines to improve access to these services among learners (UNICEF, UNFPA). As part of the school reintegration initiative, 200 teen mothers who dropped out of school were identified and received training on SRH through strategic support from the Joint Programme.

HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected populations

Source: AIDSinfo

AIDS mortality per 1000 population

Source: AIDSinfo

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: AIDSinfo

In the 2022-20234 biennium, a total of 539 569 adolescents and young people accessed information on HIV, SRH and/or COVID-19 services through digital, social media and social accountability-monitoring platforms, such as TuneMe, NONO. As part of the Baylor Teen Club programme, 28 teen leaders received training on peer support and 24 teen club sessions helped raise HIV awareness among adolescents. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccination was integrated in HIV services at Baylor College of Medicine improving accessibility, sustainability and cost-effectiveness through support from the Joint Programme (UNICEF).

The latest study on vertical transmission of HIV conducted with the Ministry of Health, determined a 1.34% vertical transmission of HIV at 18-24 months in 2024—a significant decline from 4.91% in 2020 (UNICEF, UNAIDS Secretariat).

In partnership with the Community Health Empowerment Forum (CHEF), 5185 men and women living with HIV and 62 community facilitators enhanced their knowledge of community-led antiretroviral treatment, nutrition and SRH services (UNAIDS Secretariat).

Thanks to a partnership with the male mentoring organization Kwakha Indvodza, 689 men aged 18-49 years improved their understanding of positive gender norms and equality (UNAIDS Secretariat). In Lubombo and Shiselweni regions, 10 farmer groups also received training on positive gender norms, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, HIV and nutrition as well as inputs for income generation (WFP). Healthcare providers from 106 facilities gained better capacity in managing gender-based violence cases (World Bank). A total of 98 adolescent girls and young women gained better knowledge and skills in preventing HIV and gender-based violence through five peer-led dialogues (UN Women).

Thanks to Joint Programme’s financial support to two civil society organizations, support groups help address the needs of key populations, particularly improving access to health and legal services to improve their nutrition and economic empowerment (UNDP). Over 1000 healthcare providers from 200 facilities improved their capacity to deliver high-impact reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, nutrition and noncommunicable disease services (World Bank).