Smart Objectives
The HIV prevention plan for ACB communities set objectives that are responsive to the community intervention strategy of reducing HIV infection amongst Black and African communities in Canada. They address extended HIV Testing, prevention with HIV-infected individuals, distribution of condoms, high-risk negatives evidence based interventions, planning HIV prevention activities, social campaigns, capacity building and program evaluation and monitoring (Shelby, Smith & Mancoske, 2012). As discussed by Haughey (2014), the objectives should be SMART (Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Oriented.
Thus the objectives would be:
Objective 1: To increase the number of HIV tests undertaken within healthcare settings by approximately 20 percent each year; hence increasing the prevalence of status awareness amongst HIV-infected individuals by over 10 percent.
Objective 2: To increase the amount of tests that are delivered both non-clinical and clinical provider settings by approximately 5 percent annually; up from approximately 70,000 tests to slightly in excess of 90,000 test before the end of 2016.
Objective 3: To facilitate prevention preventions by funding clinical care providers to offer risk reduction, treatment retention and adherence in healthcare interventions for over 90 percent of the HIV-positive individuals (Aral, Fenton & Lipshutz, 2013).
Objective 4: To increase the number of HIV-infected individuals who are linked to community based organizations for care within the initial three months of testing (Bartholomew, 2011), by approximately 5% each year.
Objective 5: To reduce risk behaviors amongst high-risk negative individuals and enhance the distribution of condoms by 20 percent at the end of year.
Methodology
Under the sunshade approach to comprehensive treatment care, the interventions would support accessible, coordinated and comprehensive services for individuals living with HIV, developing concepts of patient-oriented medical homes; a primary approach to health reform to address acute conditions and care cost (CDC, 2003)
References
Aral, S. O., Fenton, K. A., & Lipshutz, J. A. (2013). The new public health and STD/HIV prevention: Personal, public, and health systems approaches. New York: Springer.
Bartholomew, L. K. (2011). Planning health promotion programs: An intervention mapping approach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2003). Advancing HIV prevention: new strategies for a changing epidemic--United States, 2003. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 52(15), 329.
Haughey, D. (2014). SMART goals. Retrieved 14 July 2016, from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/smart-goals.php
Shelby, R. D., Smith, J. D., & Mancoske, R. J. (2012). Practice Issues in HIV/AIDS Services: Empowerment-Based Models and Program Applications. Routledge.
