Identify Seeds
Select suitable community members who can reach networks not routinely accessing services.
MARPI PROGRAMMES
Social Network Strategy
Using trusted networks to find people who may be missed by routine testing.
Social Network Strategy (SNS) uses trusted community and social connections to reach people who may have limited contact with conventional HIV testing services, while linking them to testing, prevention and care.
SNS works best when recruitment is voluntary, confidential and focused on health access rather than labelling or exposing members of a social network.
NetworkSeedsTrusted starting points for recruitment
Peer-LedRecruitmentPeople reach people they know
TestingAccessNetwork members are offered HIV testing
LinkageNext StepART or prevention based on results
WHAT THE PROGRAMME DOES
How MARPI turns the programme into practical services.
MARPI combines community relationships, health-facility systems, differentiated service delivery and routine data so programmes do not stop at mobilisation—they connect people to prevention, treatment, referral and follow-up.
- Identify suitable network 'seeds' or recruiters
- Orient recruiters on confidentiality and voluntary participation
- Recruit eligible network members through trusted connections
- Offer differentiated HIV testing options
- Link HIV-positive clients to treatment
- Link HIV-negative clients to PrEP and other prevention services
IMPLEMENTATION MODEL
How MARPI Implements This Programme
The programme is organised as a connected pathway from understanding community need to delivering services, following up clients and using data for improvement.
Orient
Explain recruitment, confidentiality, eligibility and referral expectations.
Recruit Networks
Seeds invite eligible people from their social or sexual networks to access services.
Offer Testing
Network members receive appropriate HIV testing options.
Link Prevention
HIV-negative clients are offered prevention counselling and relevant services.
Link Treatment
Confirmed HIV-positive clients are linked to ART and follow-up.
CORE COMPONENTS
What Happens in Practice
These are the main operational components clients, communities and partners are likely to see during implementation.
Trusted Networks
SNS uses existing social relationships to reduce barriers to service access.
Confidentiality
Recruitment should avoid unnecessary disclosure of another person's health information.
Yield & Cascade Review
Teams review recruitment, testing, positivity and linkage to understand programme performance.
Client Safety
Recruitment is adapted where there is risk of stigma, violence or other harm.
Integrated Prevention
SNS is connected to PrEP, condoms, HIV self-testing and other prevention choices.
Continuous Improvement
Data and recruiter feedback help refine which networks and approaches are most effective.
CONNECTED PROGRAMMES
Explore the MARPI Programme Model
MARPI programmes are designed to reinforce each other rather than work as separate silos.
Programme information is summarised from MARPI's Strategic Plan 2021–2025, the 2025 Annual Report and current MARPI service architecture.
Need a service or want to connect with a programme?
Use Care Connect for services, or contact MARPI to reach a DIC, programme team or referral point.