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South Sudan
In South Sudan, the Joint Team supported activities focused on scaling up HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and nutrition services among young people and key populations. For instance, 653 852 adolescents and young people were sensitized on sexual reproductive health and HIV prevention; 169 250 people accessed HIV and sexual and reproductive health services; and 152 542 condoms were distributed through various campaigns and outreach initiatives while 41 211 people received comprehensive sexuality education. The Condomize! campaign further disseminated HIV prevention information and 2 million condoms to 900 708 young people across the country (UNFPA). Additionally, 25 young people were trained as peer educators; and 15 healthcare providers improved their skills in delivering youth-friendly HIV services through a reproductive health club established with the University of Juba that is stocked with information materials on HIV, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence (UNFPA). A total of 14 550 students (6000 females) from 27 schools and 500 stakeholders improved their knowledge of early and unintended pregnancies associated risks and prevention while 49 university staff and representatives from Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MOGEI) were engaged on issues of child marriage and gender-based violence (UNESCO).
As part of the Boma Health Initiative, access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services across the country was strengthened as 1968 Boma health workers improved their skills on implementing the “safe motherhood” module. The trained health workers conducted community education and referred 59 875 pregnant and breastfeeding women to antenatal care and PMTCT services, of whom 17 664 received HIV testing and 450 women diagnosed with HIV were enrolled on PMTCT services (UNICEF).
Access to services for people in prisons was improved through the health clinic at Juba Central Prison that received more than 5000 rapid hepatitis B, C and pregnancy test kits, tuberculosis testing reagents, 10 000 auto-destructive syringes and essential medicines for sexually transmitted infections (UNODC). In addition, 17 382 female sex workers were sensitized on HIV prevention; and 6177 female sex workers as well as 17 023 internally displaced persons received voluntary HIV counselling and testing services in nine states (UNFPA).
As part of the Your Voice, Your Right campaign, 1129 people living with HIV including 142 females accessed psychosocial support and legal services in selected areas and more than 50 000 people were sensitized on legal education and human rights through radio talk shows (UNDP).
In humanitarian settings, 169 923 people, including people living with HIV, community leaders, women and military personnel improved their understanding of various issues, such as HIV, sexual and reproductive health, tuberculosis, nutrition, stigma and positive living. A total of 12 565 pregnant women (11 159 refugees) accessed HIV testing services during antenatal care and 83 pregnant women diagnosed with HIV were enrolled on PMTCT services; 326 refugees living with HIV accessed antiretroviral treatment; 59 673 condoms were distributed through various outlets and voluntary medical male circumcision increased from 98 in 2021 to 213 in 2022 in refugee camps and host communities (UNHCR). Additionally, 93 956 adolescents, young people, and adults living with or affected by HIV and tuberculosis received nutrition and food assistance to improve their health outcomes (WFP).