Recognizing the Hidden: Strengthening the HIV Surveillance System among Key and Priority Populations in Mozambique

Abstract High quality, representative data from HIV surveillance systems that have country ownership and commitment are critical for guiding national HIV responses. This is especially true for key and priority populations given their disproportionate role in the transmission of the virus. Since 2011, the Mozambique Ministry of Health has conducted five Biobehavioral Surveillance Surveys among key and priority populations as part of the national HIV surveillance system. We describe the experience of strengthening the HIV surveillance system among those populations through the implementation of these surveys in Mozambique. We document the lessons learned and the impact on coordination and collaboration; workforce development and institutional capacity building; data use and dissemination; advocacy and policy impact; financial sustainability and community impact. Given that traditional surveillance methodologies from routine data often do not capture these hidden populations, it will be important to ensure that BBS surveys are an integral part of ongoing HIV surveillance activities in Mozambique.