Mauritania: in Nouakchott, HIV testing campaigns organized by associations (3/4)
Audio 02:24
A kiosk of the SOS Pairs Éducateurs association in Nouakchott, in September 2021. © Théa Ollivier / RFI
By: Théa Ollivier
3 min
HIV is still a big taboo in Mauritania.
Community associations then developed adapted services to find HIV-positive people and keep them in the care process.
An important issue as the epidemic is hidden and concentrated within vulnerable communities, homosexuals and sex workers.
Discriminated or criminalized populations in this Islamic republic, where only 0.3% of the general population is infected with HIV.
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A large traditional tent was pitched for a day in the popular Al Mina district.
Here, residents wait before being tested for HIV.
Aida Mahmoud, 21, had a test for the first time.
Not yet married, she has sex with her boyfriend, even if it is forbidden: "
I understand that to prevent me from this disease, you must always protect
yourself whether
you are married or not ... we never know.
The test should be done before marriage, and even if you are not married it should be done regularly every month to ensure your health.
We must not trust others and we must protect ourselves
”.
A community screening campaign
That day, 270 people had the test, according to Mohamed Ali Bilal, vice-president of the association SOS Pairs educators, at the initiative of this community screening campaign: “
Here, it is a very vulnerable population. There are many women who marry several times, who change partners. The majority of young people here are sexually active. We really want to raise awareness about HIV and the importance of testing
”.
The association has installed fixed kiosks in four strategic points of Nouakchott.
In front of the bus station, for example, a team educates, detects and distributes condoms.
Their target: prostitution clients, such as drivers who engage in risky behavior, explains Khalifa Vall, kiosk supervisor: “
All the drivers are there, and we are taking this opportunity to educate them.
At the beginning, people are a little shy because AIDS is still taboo, so people don't come and take condoms.
But now, every day, they ask me
”.
The community as an accompanist for affected people
Raising awareness and testing is easier when it is done by a person living with HIV, notes Coumba Sy, cook and HIV positive for 20 years: “
Since I took this medicine, I have been in good shape.
Each time, I give them this advice and my example.
I tell them to take their medication and do like me
”.
Dr Mohamed Vall is the former chief physician of CTA, the outpatient treatment center for people living with HIV: “
The community is more committed than the State, it's more efficient.
Even for home visits, it is the community that knows the patient mapping.
For a lot of things, it's the community.
He is a great companion of HIV
”.
Maintaining patients in care is a major issue as 60% of HIV-positive patients “
are lost to follow-up
”.
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