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OUR WORK
HOLISTIC APPROACH
Access to quality reproductive health services remains a huge challenge in Tanzania. The rates of adolescent pregnancy, unmet need for family planning, and maternal mortality are still unacceptably high. Poor provision of health services, lack of education, and shortages of supplies and medicines are a few of the multitude of factors that contribute to the high rates of morbidity and mortality in Tanzania.
Thrive Afya Tanzania improves access to quality HIV/AIDS, reproductive, and maternal health services for adolescents and women in Tanzania. In order to do this, we design our programs to intersect five areas: Health, Women & Girls Empowerment, Education, Research, and Advocacy.
We believe that targeted health programs alone cannot reduce the high rates of HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancy, morbidity, and mortality due to lack of access to quality health services in Tanzania. Therefore, we design holistic, multi-level programs that address the variety of factors that impact reproductive and maternal health.
CURRENT PROGRAMS
MOBILE HIV/AIDS TESTING
We provide free, rapid, and confidential HIV testing for urban and rural communities.
HOW IT WORKS: We travel to areas both rural and urban and we set up two tents, one for testing and one for results. People receive their results, counseling, and free condoms within 15-20 minutes. Those who test positive after a confirmatory test are referred directly to the nearest Care and Treatment Center (CTC) to receive medications.
WHY IT WORKS: It’s simple and low-cost. We make it easier for people to get tested by going to where they are. We can test between 100 – 500+ people in one day for approximately $100.
By providing free, rapid, confidential, and mobile services, we are breaking down the major barriers to people getting tested: cost, time-burden, stigma, and distance to a health facility.
CARE & TREATMENT CENTERS
We provide one year of support to open new Care and Treatment Centers (CTCs), where people living with HIV (PLWHIV) can receive their medications and other health services.
HOW IT WORKS: We provide transportation, supervision, and motivation for district medical staff to train local medical staff at rural health clinics. Local staff are trained on how to run a CTC and provide services to PLWHIV. After one year of support from TAT, the CTC is run by local staff with check-ins by the district staff.
WHY IT WORKS: It’s sustainable. The district government takes responsibility for all the new CTCs formed.
PLWHIV no longer have to travel or walk long distances to receive their medications, making it easier for people to adhere to their medications and live a healthy live. CTCs also act as support groups as people visiting the same clinic can share their experiences living with HIV stigma-free.
INTEGRATED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES
We provide mobile integrated reproductive health services such as family planning, cervical cancer screenings, and HIV/AIDS testing to underserved areas.
HOW IT WORKS: We travel to areas both rural and urban and set up at a local clinic or community designated area. Announcements are made the night before to ensure women are aware of the free services. People receive free family planning counceling and the method of their choice, cervical cancer screening, and HIV testing.
WHY IT WORKS: It’s a ‘one-stop shop’ model for reproductive health. Offering more than one service in an accessible way encourages women to receive services they might not otherwise seek out.
By traveling to areas with limited or no family planning services, we are increasing women’s options and improving reproductive autonomy.
YOUTH-FRIENDLY SERVICES
We host youth-friendly services days at our TAT office, where youth ages 18-24 can receive critical health education and services while having fun.
HOW IT WORKS: We invite students from local secondary schools and youth from the community to our office on Saturdays. We provide education on HIV, cervical cancer, and family planning while playing games and music. Youth can also receive free HIV testing, cervical cancer screenings, and family planning counseling and provision.
WHY IT WORKS: It’s innovative. Adolescents can be a difficult population to reach. They are often deterred from going to health centers to receive reproductive health care out of fear of stigma. Education levels are also low and adolescent pregnancy remains a huge issue. Developing adolescent-friendly programs is critical to their health and well-being.
WHERE WE WORK
Thrive Afya Tanzania is based in Babati, Tanzania. Babati is the capital of Manyara Region in Northern Tanzania. Manyara region consists of six districts. We currently work in two of these districts: Babati Rural and Babati Town.
Tanzania has a population of approximately 57 million people. Babati Town Council and Babati District Council have a population of 93,108 and 312,392 respectively (2010 Census).
About 82% of Tanzanians live in rural areas with limited access to health services. This is why we focus on rural areas and provide mobile services to break down some of the barriers to accessing health care.
LONG-TERM VISION
Phase 1: Mobile HIV/AIDS Services (CURRENT)
We started with what we are known for and what we know best: mobile HIV/AIDS testing and care. We have also started to integrate family planning and education through our youth-friendly service days.
Phase 2: Mobile Health Clinic
Our mobile health clinic will provide HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, and basic primary care services. Our community empowerment programs will continue and expand.
Phase 3: Community Center
We will build a community center which will provide life skill development, health education, vocational training, and after school activities. The community center will also be a base for adolescent-friendly health services.
Phase 4: Health Center
Our health center will provide high quality primary care, reproductive health, and maternal health services. This clinic is designed to ensure patients are receiving high quality of care throughout the entire continuum of care.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
HEALTH
5%
of Tanzanians aged 15-64 are living with HIV
7300
women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year (one of the highest rates in the world)
32%
of women aged 15-49 use a contraceptive method
27%
of adolescents aged 15-19
have either given birth
or are pregnant
64%
of births are assisted by a
health professional
Maternal Mortality ratio
556
deaths per 100,000 live births
EDUCATION
23%
of women and 28% of men aged 15-49 have attended secondary school or beyond
24%
of girls and 22% of boys aged 14-17 are attending secondary school
23%
of women and 17% of men aged 15-49 are illiterate
WOMEN & GIRLS EMPOWERMENT
72%
of women aged 15-49 participate in decision-making about their own health
19.2
years is the median age of first marriage for women
50%
of ever-married women experience spousal violence (physical, sexual, or emotional)
ANNUAL REPORTS