The contribution of the Cameroon AIDS Control Month 2022 to achieving programmatic objectives

« It's an event that is increasingly becoming the major annual event in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon. For the past 7 years, the multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional mobilisation of Cameroon's AIDS control month has kept all those involved in the response on their toes around a common slogan. For the latest edition, "acting together to put an end to inequalities" was the subject that fuelled the various communications. What's more, in addition to awareness-raising activities, voluntary screening campaigns were organised here and there, making it possible to step up the availability of screening.

RAISING AWARENESS 

As regards prevention through awareness-raising, a total of 2,180,656 people were made aware of HIV and AIDS throughout the country in November 2022. As part of social marketing, the supply of male and female condoms and lubricants was increased, with a total of 464,723 male and female condoms and 67,550 lubricants distributed. 

SCREENING 

As far as screening is concerned, the 7th edition of the Cameroonian month for the fight against AIDS resulted in the following people being screened 

117,020 people, 116,141 of whom received their results. These activities enabled 2,394 people living with HIV to find out their status, giving a seropositivity rate of 2.04%. Of these, in line with the Test and Treat strategy, 2,080 people were put on ART, giving a treatment uptake rate of 86%. 

These results reaffirm the importance of celebrating Cameroon Month in achieving programmatic results in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon, in terms of both prevention and care. In addition, this event, which will be held for the 8th time in 2023, will enable the various stakeholders to remain mobilised around a single vision and thus enable the activities of Cameroon Month to be consolidated with all the actions that make up the national response to HIV.