Project Title: South Carolina’s Support and Scale Up of HIV Prevention Services in Sexual Health Clinics
Applicant Organization Name: South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
Address: 2100 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Project Director Name: Ali Mansaray, Director STD/HIV/Viral Hepatitis Division, Bureau of
Communicable Disease Prevention and Control
Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax): 803-898-0625, 803-898-0573
Email Address: mansarab@dhec.sc.gov
Background: In the United States southern states account for over 50% of new HIV infections
annually. South Carolina (SC) faces disparities in HIV and has a high incidence of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs), ranking fifth in chlamydia infections in 2021. Moreover, SC
experiences low uptake of proven HIV prevention strategies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Purpose: This proposal aims to strengthen HIV prevention services in South Carolina, focusing on
enhancing access to HIV/STI testing and PrEP services, improving linkage to care, and reducing
stigma. The proposal includes expanding access to comprehensive preventive services, providing
culturally informed provider training, employing evidence-based approaches, and increasing HIV
awareness and prevention through marketing. These strategies will not only elevate access to HIV
prevention in sexual health clinics but also reduce new HIV and STI infections, aligning with South
Carolina's goal to End the HIV Epidemic by 2030.
Approach: The approach involves conducting a needs assessment, increasing community engagement,
enhancing outreach and education, expanding testing services, integrating STI screening and
treatment, increasing PrEP awareness, facilitating telehealth services, building capacity, and
implementing a monitoring and evaluation process.
Outcomes: This proposal seeks long-term outcomes, including increased delivery and uptake of
stigma-free sexual health services, quality comprehensive sexual health services, improved HIV
viral suppression among People with HIV (PWH), decreased new HIV and STI infections, and reduced
racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation disparities.
Funding: The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is seeking $1,000,000 in funding
to implement activities aimed at scaling up HIV prevention in sexual health clinics
across South Carolina.