Frequently Asked Questions
What is SRH and HIV integration?
SRH and HIV integration refers to different kinds of SRH and HIV services or operational programmes that can be joined together to ensure and perhaps maximize collective outcomes through many
Why is SRH and HIV integration important?
The majority of HIV infections are sexually transmitted or associated with pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. In addition, sexual and reproductive ill-health and HIV share root causes, including poverty, gender inequality
What was the purpose of the Integra Initiative?
The goal of the Integra Initiative was to better understand the costs and benefits of a range of models for delivering integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
What data was collected through the Integra Initiative?
The Integra Initiative was the largest ever evaluation of different models of HIV and SRH integration and used a ‘programme science’ approach by embedding the research and data collection within
What is the Integra Index?
Summary: Integration is very complex and difficult to evaluate. The Integra Index is a unique measurement tool that can sufficiently describe the extent of integration at the facility level and
Does integration increase the range and uptake of services by clients?
Summary: Integrating HIV services into family planning and PNC services has improved uptake of HIV counselling and testing at these facilities. Over a two year period, people with greater exposure
Does integration improve quality of care (QoC) of FP and PNC services in Kenya and Swaziland?
Summary: Integration does not seem to have a negative effect on quality of care. Data from Kenya and Swaziland between 2009 and 2012 show that integrating HIV services into family
How can integrated SRH and HIV service provision be strengthened?
The Integra Initiative employed a ‘programme science’ approach. This meant investing in the provision of integrated SRH and HIV services in each country (Swaziland, Kenya, and Malawi). This investment included
Does integration lead to an increase in HIV testing uptake?
Summary: Over a two year period, people with greater exposure to integrated facilities had better rates of using HIV counselling and testing services. Detail: Results from the cohort study in
Is consistent condom use associated with increased integration of HIV and SRH services?
From the analysis of the cohort data in the family planning sites in Kenya, over a two year period, people with less exposure to integrated facilities had less consistent condom
Does integration lead to reduction in HIV-related stigma?
Summary: Integration can lead to a reduction in HIV-related stigma, but this only happened when confidentiality was protected. Detail: The cohort data, linked qualitative data with women living with HIV
What are the preferences for clinic characteristics among young people in Malawi
Summary: A discrete choice experiment among young people in Malawi found that the most highly valued components of integrated services were confidentiality (highly significant), followed by price. The addition of
Does integrated services delivery lead to improved efficiencies?
Summary: The costing study of integration across 42 facilities found that the wide variation in the costs of HIV-SRH at different sites suggests potential for integration to improve efficiency. However,
How does HIV and SRH service integration impact upon workload?
Summary: There is evidence to suggest the potential to improve productivity through integration, however there are significant challenges and the pace of productivity gain slow. Detail: There is growing interest
