The HIV plan will only have an impact on the HIV epidemic and the lives of PLWH if the proposed actions are implemented. To know if the implementation of the actions listed in the plan is effective, they have to be monitored.
Monitoring indicators will support measuring the progress towards reaching the plan’s targets. The proposed indicators are a mixture of process and outcome measures. They are key indicators to be used at national level when possible, but also at regional or local level when more feasible. The estimation of those indicators might be based on reorganisation, triangulation and strategic use of indicators and data that already exist. The monitoring is a dynamic process and additional or alternative indicators might appear relevant whilst the plan is rolled out.
Targets
Monitoring indicators
Potential source of information
Increase the number of people from key populations informed about existing prevention measures towards HIV and STI
Proportion of target population informed on existing prevention measures towards HIV and STI
Surveys among key populations (for example EMIS44, PROMISE45)
Increase the number of people who receive prevention services (including condom use, counselling on risk reduction strategies, chemsex, HIV testing)
Number and proportion of target population who receive prevention services
Surveys among key populations (for example EMIS, PROMISE)
Activity reports of community based organisations
Ensure that all people at high risk of HIV acquisition have access to PrEP
Number and proportion of people at high risk of HIV acquisition who receive PrEP
Surveys among people at high risk (for example PROMISE)
National surveillance data on PrEP combined with estimate of number of people at high risk
Ensure that all care providers receive training on combination prevention tools and up-to-date socio-epidemiological information on HIV to support testing
Number and proportions of health care providers who receive training on combination prevention tools.
Audit of the training of physicians
Monitoring of HIV & STI sessions organized in GP groups
Reach 95% of PLWH knowing their status by 2025 (first UNAIDS target for the continuum of HIV care)
Number and proportion of diagnosed and undiagnosed PLWH living in Belgium
Back-calculation estimates based on the national HIV surveillance data
Reduce the number of HIV infections diagnosed late
Number and proportion of late HIV diagnoses
Ensure that undiagnosed most-at-risk / key populations are reached by community HIV testing
Number and proportion of reactive tests and confirmed new HIV diagnoses among the tests performed in community facilities
Surveillance of testing activities provided by community based organisations
(COBATEST46 = network of community based testing services)
Ensure access of PLWH and PrEP users to regular STI screening
Proportion of PLWH and PrEP users screened for STIs according to the guidelines
Ensure prompt linkage to HIV care following diagnosis and subsequent retention in HIV care
Proportion of patients diagnosed with HIV who are linked to HIV care
Proportion of people who interrupt HIV care (excluding patients who died or transferred out or migrated)
National HIV surveillance data
National HIV surveillance data
Ensure that 95% PLWH diagnosed with HIV receive ART by 2025 (second UNAIDS target for the continuum of HIV care)
Proportion of patients diagnosed with HIV who receive ART
National HIV surveillance data
Ensure that more than 95% of PLWH on ART reach undetectable VL by 2025 (third UNAIDS target for the continuum of HIV care)
Proportion of patients on ART who reach undetectable VL
National HIV surveillance data
Ensure that tools to monitor patients’ health-related QoL are developed and implemented in HIV care settings
Documented evidence of development of QoL monitoring tools
Proportion of patients in care who are assessed for health-related QoL
Reports and communications on QoL monitoring tools in HIV care settings
PROMs measures
Ensure that all PLWH have access to peer support through patient organisations according to their needs
Documented evidence of referral pathways to peer support in the domains of prevention, testing, care and QoL
Reports from support and patient organisations
PREMs measures
Reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWH
Proportion of PLWH reporting stigma or discrimination
Surveys among key populations
Official complaints and legal actions