Risk

Office of Global Healthand HIV (OGHH)

Office of Overseas Programming &Training Support (OPATS)

HIV Prevention TrainingPackage

Session 3: Reducing Risk

Session Learning Objectives

Participants define vulnerability andresilience, and risk factors and drivers thatput individuals and communities at risk forHIV infection.

Participants identify two key risk behaviorsand three risk factors for key populations(PWID, SW, MSM, PLHA).

Participants utilize a participatory tool toanalyze risk and risk factors for keypopulations.

Risk (of contracting HIV)

The probability of an individual becominginfected by HIV, either through his or her ownactions, knowingly or not, or via anotherperson’s actions. (UNAIDS)

Risk factor

“…an aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle,an environmental exposure, or an inborn orinherited characteristic which, on the basis ofepidemiologic evidence, is known to beassociated with health-related condition(s)considered important to prevent.” (Dictionaryof Epidemiology, 3rd edition)

Examples of risk factors

Physical factors:

–Women, particularly young women and girls

–Uncircumcised men

–People with STIs

Personal factors:

–Lack of knowledge

–Lack of skills

–Inability to assert needs/desires

Logistical factors

Social and economic factors: practices, beliefs, andlaws that stigmatize and disempower certainpopulations

Risk drivers

Vulnerability (to HIV)

Reflects an individual’s or community’sinability to control the risk of HIV infection

Includes factors such as social norms,economic status, political instability, or legalenvironment

Practices, beliefs, and laws can stigmatize anddisempower certain populations

Key populations

Individuals who sit at intersection of vulnerability and high risk andhave higher risk of being infected or affected by HIV include:

–Those who inject drugs (PWID )

–Sex workers and their clients

–Men who have sex with men

–PLHA

–(COUNTRY Adaptation: Include basic definition and statistics for anyadditional groups listed in national prevention priorities)

Also called at-risk populations, most-at-risk, or MARP

Key populations play a key role in how HIV spreads and are also keyto the response.

Resilience

Allows an individual or community toovercome or bounce back from adversity

Allows an individual or community to adapt tocircumstances and ultimately demonstrate apositive outcome

Pro-active — can also reduce risk

Personality traits in individuals

Leadership in communities

Risk drivers for key populations

Marginalization

Criminalization

No political will to address their needs

Violence/extortion

Can’t access appropriate, welcoming preventionservices, commodities

Can’t access other services that could reduce risk

Overlapping vulnerabilities

STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION

Vulnerable populations

Youth/OVC

Young women/girls

Prisoners

Military/uniformed services

Migrants/displaced persons

Slum dwellers

Include any other populations noted innational prevention strategy.