Review Community-based organizations in HIV/AIDS

The main objective of this review is to provide a preliminary evaluation of the suitability of community-based organizations (CBOs) to contribute to HIV/AIDS prevention, care/support and control programs in Ethiopia. In order to put CBOs and programs in the context of HIV transmission and spread, the role of the Multisectoral HIV/AIDS Strategy (2000-2004) and other government policies and programs in promoting an environment conducive for these organizations and initiatives are highlighted. The Ethiopian literature and recent news releases on CBOs were reviewed and findings examined in the context of recent government policies, community initiatives and prevailing infrastructure in health programs, socioeconomic and cultural constraints. Findings show that the Multisectoral HIV/AIDS Strategy, the current Health Policy, and plans to strengthen the weredas and kebeles facilitate the development of CBOs and programs and infrastructure through the HIV/AIDS Council, the Ministry of Health and various other governmental organizations. CBOs studied are at different stages of planning and implementing preventive and care/support programs but little is known about their progress, operations and effectiveness due to the recency of most programs and lack of monitoring and evaluatio