Optimizing Investments in Georgia’s HIV Response
Georgia has a concentrated but growing HIV epidemic. Over the past decade, HIV prevalence has increased among all population groups, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). If current conditions (behaviors and service coverage) are sust...
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English en_US |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2016
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2016/07/26570656/optimizing-investments-georgia’s-hiv-response http://hdl.handle.net/10986/24966 |
| Summary: | Georgia has a concentrated but growing
HIV epidemic. Over the past decade, HIV prevalence has
increased among all population groups, particularly among
men who have sex with men (MSM). If current conditions
(behaviors and service coverage) are sustained up to 2030,
the epidemic is expected to stabilize among female sex
workers (FSWs). At the same time, HIV prevalence among
people who inject drugs (PWID) and the clients of female sex
workers (FSW) may increase, but at a slower rate than in the
past. MSM account for the largest proportion of new
infections and experience the highest prevalence levels of
HIV (13 percent in 2012).1 However, prevention programs that
specifically target MSM currently account for approximately
only 3 percent of HIV spending.The HIV epidemic in the
general population is expected to increase due largely to
the increasing HIV prevalence among MSM and existing
prevalence among PWID.The HIV epidemic among PWID in Georgia
has stabilized due to significant and prolonged efforts to
target this population.Testing key populations and their
sexual partners is the most cost-effective strategy to
identify those who require antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Testing key populations and their sexual partners is the
most cost-effective strategy to identify those who require
antiretroviral therapy (ART).Opportunities exist to further
optimize investments.Improvements in technical efficiency
may provide additional gains.The health and economic burden
of HIV in Georgia is growing.In the long term, the model
predicts that HIV resource needs will increase with rising
incidence and prevalence. However, the analysis estimates
that optimizing current allocations by increasing spending
on ART provision while sustaining investment in key
populations could save approximately 224,635 dollars
annually. The results also show that optimizing the
allocation of current spending would lower annual spending
commitments for newly infected PLHIV by approximately 15
percent. Current annual spending will not be enough to
achieve National HIV Strategic Plan and international targets. |
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