Our main goal in the promotion of HIV testing in Sub-Saharan African communities in Flanders is early diagnosis of HIV and timely access to care. More than half of Sub-Saharan Africans living with HIV (52%) received their HIV diagnosis late (CD4<350cells/µl or AIDS symptoms within three months after the HIV diagnosis). This delay in diagnosis results in:
delayed access to treatment,
(probably) more severe medical consequences of the HIV-infection
an increased risk of HIV transmission
An early diagnosis of HIV benefits patients and is at the same time an effective way to stop the spread of HIV.
Recent research has also shown that many Sub-Saharan African migrants living with HIV may not know their HIV status. The TOGETHER study, conducted in Antwerp in 2014, has shown that 6% of Sub-Saharan African women and 3% of the Sub-Saharan African men living in Antwerp are HIV positive; 53% of them did not report their status.
The promotion of knowing one’s HIV status and reducing barriers for HIV-testing is therefore a priority for the HIV-SAM Project. Together with community leaders we organize different activities to sensitize the Sub-Saharan African communities in Flanders about the importance of HIV testing. In addition, we bring HIV testing to the communities by organizing outreach HIV testing sessions. Many diagnostic opportunities are missed in the regular health care system because doctors do not routinely propose an HIV test. Therefore we also promote provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling at the rotuine health care level. To achieve this, we mainly work with first line service providers and their professional associations.
More information about HIV-testing among Sub-Saharan African migrants? Read our studies.
Muungano annual new year’s diner – 2024
In the cozy ’t Hof van Eden restuarant at Groenpaats, members Muungano peer support group supervised by AT4SH had thier traditional new year’s diner, on Saturday 24/02/24. The diner was attended by 12 members and two kids. A WhatsApp message on the group’s social media platform from one of the participants summarises the benefits of …
On Saturday, May 17, Brussels will once again shine in every color of the rainbow during Brussels Pride 2025. And this year, we are putting our work in the spotlight. At the Sensoa stand, everything revolves around All Together for Sexual Health (AT4SH) — our commitment to sexual health within African communities in Belgium. We …
Running now: Workshop You Are Not Alone, Growing Stronger Together While Living with HIV
Are you living with HIV and have a migration background? AT4SH is organizing this unique four-day workshop series, specifically designed to support people struggling with the psychosocial impact of a HIV diagnosis and eventually living with the infection as a chronic condition. This interactive program offers more than just information. You’ll learn how to manage …
On March 8, 2025, we held our first Community Network Meeting in Ghent. Various representatives from key organizations and individual volunteers attended the meeting. Among others, representatives came from Edo Association, Bilenge vzw, Acasia, Muungano vzw, and the Sudanese community. Several individual volunteers were also present. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange …
Pilot workshop “Breaking the cycle: confronting HIV-related stigma and discrimination in African communities in real-life situations”
On a sunny Saturday we will pilot the workshop “Breaking the cycle: confronting HIV-related stigma and discrimination in African communities in real situations” in Ghent with 11 participants in collaboration with Basibomoko. Participation was very active, with many relevant questions about the complexity of HIV-related stigma as a social phenomenon. The workshop was rated 8/10, …
First African communities’ prevention network meeting for 2024 (24/02/2024)
The first African communities’ prevention network was a sucess. The meeting was attended by representatives of our four key organisations – Bilenge, Acasia, Edo Association and Basibomuko and individual volunteers. There was also a good balance in gender and age. The topics of the meeting were: 1. All Together For Sexual Health (AT4SH) as the …
From the 24th – 26th January, Ddungu was in Barcelona for the annual meeting of COBA test network. The COBATEST Network links organizations across Europe and Central Asia who offer community-based voluntary counselling and STI/HIV testing (CBVCT) services and promotes testing, early diagnosis and linkage to care in groups/populations that at a high risk of …
Peer support and learning weekend for people living with HIV
As every year, the Muungano group and Sensoa positieve got together for a weekend of meeting and sharing in Blankenberge from 29/9 to 01/10/23. Coordinated by two professionals from HIV SAM, a total of 22 members of the Muungano group attended the event. The group was made up of a mixed public of different ages …