EpiC is an eight-year global initiative that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control and strengthen global health security.
Ria Ningsih, LINKAGES IndonesiaLucyan Umboh, LINKAGES IndonesiaStevie Daniels, Editor, FHI 360 Community-based support staff member from Yayasan Inter Medika explains Jak-Support fund to a client. (Photo: Ria Ningsih) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many key population members, people living with... Continue Reading
Caroline Francis, Project Director, LINKAGES Indonesia Photos: LINKAGES Indonesia With over 100,000 confirmed cases as of July, Indonesia has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in Jakarta, the vast majority of people living with HIV (PLHIV) have continued... Continue Reading
Although the EpiC project was initially awarded to support countries to achieve and maintain HIV epidemic control, we have also joined the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to our ongoing content about our HIV work, we are pleased to share stories... Continue Reading
For years, the LINKAGES project has worked to reduce HIV transmission among key populations and their sexual partners and to extend the lives of those already living with HIV. Now, we have joined the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to our... Continue Reading
Benjamin Eveslage, Technical Advisor, Online HIV Services, FHI 360 This blog post was originally published here on PSI's website. The global response to HIV is now threatened on many fronts: insufficient funding, myriad challenges posed by COVID-19, and slow adoption of... Continue Reading
The LINKAGES and EpiC projects are excited to be participating in AIDS 2020: Virtual, where our staff and partners will share innovative practices and the newest research and programmatic evidence on HIV prevention, care, and treatment among key populations. We... Continue Reading
Philip Imohi, Michael Egbe, Frank Eyam, Cajetan Obi, Antor Ndep, Olusola Sanwo, Satish Raj Pandey, Hadiza Khamofu, Robert Chiegil, Moses Bateganya, & Ezekiel James In alignment with the global drive toward the control of the HIV epidemic, members of the... Continue Reading
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, HIV programs around the world are both experiencing disruptions and demonstrating remarkable resilience. Safeguarding the gains of the global HIV response during the pandemic requires sustained focus on delivering rights-based, evidence-informed, and community-led... Continue Reading
The following interview was conducted with Eugenie Kenda, a peer navigator with Yerelon+ in Burkina Faso. Yerelon+ is a local civil society organization and implementing partner under the USAID- and PEPFAR-supported #EAWA project. #EAWA is a five-year project with the... Continue Reading
This blog is managed by the EpiC project and dedicated to sharing stories, events, and resources from HIV epidemic control efforts around the world.
Assessment
A questionnaire or “screener” meant to be used with individual patients in a clinical setting to screen for, help diagnose, or monitor progress for individual mental health conditions.
Intervention
Larger packages or broader-reaching resources that describe actions or activities to be implemented. These may be appropriate for individuals, groups, and/or programs.
Anxiety
Feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that may occur as a reaction to stress. Anxiety can be a symptom or a feeling; it can also be a clinical diagnosis of a mental health condition.
Burnout
A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress, typically related to one’s work, that is not managed well. Burnout is considered an occupational phenomenon.
Clinical diagnoses
Mental or neuropsychiatric disorders, or disruptive, unusual, or maladaptive behaviors that have been evaluated and diagnosed by a trained medical professional.
Depression
A mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
Disability
A physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities.
Insomnia
A sleep disorder, or disordered sleep pattern, characterized by trouble falling and/or staying asleep.
Overall well-being
The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy; judging one’s own life positively; generally, “feeling good.”
Post-traumatic stress (PTS)
A normal adaptive response to traumatic or stressful life events that can result in a wide range of distressing symptoms. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) differs from PTS and is a clinical diagnosis.
Self-efficacy
An individual’s belief in their capacity to act in the ways necessary to reach specific goals.
Self-harm/suicidality
Deliberate injury to oneself as an emotional coping mechanism, ranging from cutting oneself to suicide. Expressions of self-harm and/or suicidality are usually considered an emergency and should be assessed and managed by a trained professional.
Social support
The perception that one is cared for, has assistance available if needed, and that one is part of a supportive social network.
Stress
Any type of change to one’s internal or external environment that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. “Managing stress” is an effort to return from this state of strain or disturbance to homeostasis or well-being.
Substance abuse
Use of a substance (usually drugs or alcohol) in amounts or by methods that are harmful to oneself or others. Substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction are distinct clinical diagnoses.
Trauma
Lasting biopsychosocial and/or emotional response that often results from experiencing a terrible event such as an accident, crime, military combat, or natural disaster, or a series of chronic traumatic events like persistent abuse or neglect.
Program beneficiary
Individual who receives program services; an entire group or population may be the recipient of services.
Service provider
Individual who directly provides services to another individual, group, or population (the “program beneficiary”) through a program.