Social Protection and HIV: Research Implications for Policy

UNICEF and partners including RIATT-ESA have developed policy briefs based on the latest evidence on HIV-sensitive social protection and cash-plus programming.

The key overarching message in the six briefs is that combination social protection is an important way to improve HIV outcomes in adolescents by ameliorating the socioeconomic deprivations that increase risk of HIV infection and treatment access and non-adherence. It is most effective for girls in deprived areas. Social protection is highly acceptable by populations, and countries in eastern and southern Africa can afford to expand their existing programmes. 

These conclusions stem evidence from randomised trials; observational studies; a longitudinal study; and interviews and analyses with HIV positive and negative male and female adolescents in urban and rural settings in the region.

The policy briefs are attached below. Click here for RIATT-ESA publication on the topic.