Madagascar Programme
Interact in Madagascar
Madagascar is the largest of the island nations of Africa and one of the poorest countries in the world. An estimated 71% of the population are living below the poverty line, and the population is increasing rapidly – by an average of 2.7% a year. Despite relatively low prevalence rates for HIV/AIDS, the general levels of STI infection are high, and there is a risk that HIV infection could increase.
There is a major lack of knowledge, education and information about sexual and reproductive health, with low rates of contraceptive use and other preventive measures. Access to health care services, including emergency obstetric care, is inadequate. There are several cultural factors which heighten the risk of STIs, including gender inequity and a high incidence of multiple-partner relationships. Sex is a generally taboo subject, both in the community and at home within the family.Interact has a long history of working in Madagascar with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) affiliate, Fianakavina Sambatra (FISA). Our current intervention is focused on a five-year project supporting FISA to develop their young people’s programme, and to fully integrate HIV services and focused activities into their range of service, and those of other public and private providers. With Interact’s support, they have begun to offer voluntary counselling and testing at all their clinics and are one of the largest providers in the country.
We have one current project in Madagascar:
Addressing Young People’s SRH&R in Madagascar: a Nationwide Initiative to Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS