What Should Be Integrated?

Decisions about what to integrate must often be made based on available resources, the underlying infrastructure, and local needs.

Few would debate the importance of integrating some level of HIV/STI prevention into family planning and reproductive health programs.

Prevention should be a priority. While it is possible to integrate simple prevention activities with little investment of resources, it may be necessary to undertake in-depth training of staff not only in basic HIV/STI transmission and prevention, but also in sexuality and integrated counseling.

It may be necessary to reevaluate the entire approach to counseling, shifting it from an approach based on providing in-depth information about available family planning methods, to one based on a more holistic exploration of clients’ sexual lives, practices, and needs.

Some key approaches to integration include:

• Prioritizing prevention over STI management with a focus on condom promotion and dual protection
• Addressing women’s broad sexual and reproductive health needs using a gender-sensitive approach
• Involving men in interventions
• Focusing on sexuality and sexual behaviors in the provision of family planning services
• Addressing provider biases against condoms
• Linking family planning services with HIV care and support
• Addressing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission

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