Ending AIDS from the Ground Up: A Community-Led, Integrated Care Model for India’s Key Populations
1
Programme, Plan International (India Chapter), Delhi, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3775
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
HIV prevalence among female sex workers (1.85%), men who have sex with men (3.26%), transgender individuals (3.78%), and people who inject drugs (9.03%) remains disproportionately high in India. These key populations (KPs) face heightened vulnerability due to stigma, criminalization, mobility, and limited access to comprehensive sexual, reproductive, and health services. Plan India implemented a community-led, rights-based, and integrated service delivery model across 24 states, aimed at strengthening KP resilience, access to care, and social protection.
METHODS:
The project adopted a three-pronged strategy: (A) Resilient Community Groups to strengthen the organizational, leadership, and governance capacity of informal community-based organizations (CBOs) and KP networks; (B) Social Safety Nets to enhance economic security and social protection through livelihood support, skill development, and institutional linkages; and (C) Integrated People-Centric HIV Care to improve access to inclusive, rights-based HIV, SRHR, STI, and co-infection services through community-led platforms.
RESULTS:
Across 24 states, more than 19,000 KP members were reached. HIV testing (n = 9,660) identified 173 new HIV-positive cases (1.8%), with 158 clients successfully linked to ART services. STI screening was provided to 3,326 clients, with 86 initiated on treatment. TB screening reached 4,929 clients, viral hepatitis testing covered 2,600 individuals, and 3,172 KP members were linked to social welfare schemes. Community capacity was strengthened through training 107 peer educators and developing a leadership pipeline of 28 community leaders trained in public health. Systems-level outcomes included nine state-level policy reforms and formalization of four KP networks, institutionalizing inclusive HIV care.
CONCLUSIONS:
The project demonstrates that a community-led, integrated, and rights-based model can significantly improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care outcomes for key populations. Strengthening community institutions, embedding social protection, and integrating multi-sectoral services offer a scalable, people-centric pathway toward ending AIDS among KPs in India.
HIV prevalence among female sex workers (1.85%), men who have sex with men (3.26%), transgender individuals (3.78%), and people who inject drugs (9.03%) remains disproportionately high in India. These key populations (KPs) face heightened vulnerability due to stigma, criminalization, mobility, and limited access to comprehensive sexual, reproductive, and health services. Plan India implemented a community-led, rights-based, and integrated service delivery model across 24 states, aimed at strengthening KP resilience, access to care, and social protection.
METHODS:
The project adopted a three-pronged strategy: (A) Resilient Community Groups to strengthen the organizational, leadership, and governance capacity of informal community-based organizations (CBOs) and KP networks; (B) Social Safety Nets to enhance economic security and social protection through livelihood support, skill development, and institutional linkages; and (C) Integrated People-Centric HIV Care to improve access to inclusive, rights-based HIV, SRHR, STI, and co-infection services through community-led platforms.
RESULTS:
Across 24 states, more than 19,000 KP members were reached. HIV testing (n = 9,660) identified 173 new HIV-positive cases (1.8%), with 158 clients successfully linked to ART services. STI screening was provided to 3,326 clients, with 86 initiated on treatment. TB screening reached 4,929 clients, viral hepatitis testing covered 2,600 individuals, and 3,172 KP members were linked to social welfare schemes. Community capacity was strengthened through training 107 peer educators and developing a leadership pipeline of 28 community leaders trained in public health. Systems-level outcomes included nine state-level policy reforms and formalization of four KP networks, institutionalizing inclusive HIV care.
CONCLUSIONS:
The project demonstrates that a community-led, integrated, and rights-based model can significantly improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care outcomes for key populations. Strengthening community institutions, embedding social protection, and integrating multi-sectoral services offer a scalable, people-centric pathway toward ending AIDS among KPs in India.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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