Prevention and Control of Tobacco Use

Since 2007, ICAS has developed, in partnership with various civil society, government and international organisations (Tobacco Free Kids, American Cancer Society, International Union Against Cancer), actions to prevent and control tobacco and to reduce the damage tobacco use and second hand smoke cause to health, the environment, society and the development of the country.  The actions have been specifically targeted to benefit vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents and women.

To date we have developed various strategies: advocacy, education and training, legislative actions, coordination and participation and quantitative, qualitative and formative research. The majority of the strategies have as objective to promote the adoption and subsequent implementation of a new law to control tobacco in Nicaragua and inform the population about the harm caused by the consumption of tobacco.

Prevention and Treatment of STIs and HIV/AIDS.

Nicaragua has a concentrated HIV epidemic with a prevalence of 0.2% in the general adult population of the country. However, the prevalence among groups most at risk (e.g. sex workers, glue-sniffing youth, groups with sexual diversity, etc.) is much higher and in some cases up to 5%. Furthermore, these groups are vulnerable because of a number of other problems, the denial of their human rights and the behaviours and practices which put them at high risk of HIV.

Since 1996, ICAS has developed strategies that have created and provided access to comprehensive care for STIs and HIV/AIDS (informational, educational and health services) appropriate to the characteristics of vulnerable groups and which improve at the same time the human and technical quality of the services provided.  Actions have emphasized the promotion and defence of the rights of vulnerable groups, as an effective measure to eliminate barriers that restrict access to prevention, care, treatment and support related to HIV.

Sexual and Reproductive Health for Adolescents and Youth

Young people face increasing pressures in relation to sex and sexuality, including conflicting messages and norms. Nicaraguan adolescents and youth, like young people everywhere, encounter many challenges to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). These problems and challenges can affect their lives, their families and eventually society. Unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, gender inequality, socio-cultural factors, among others, are issues that need to be addressed urgently.

Since 2000, ICAS has developed various strategies aimed at ensuring a comprehensive  education in sexual and reproductive health based on the rights of young people and which provide adolescents with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to fulfil and enjoy their sexuality - physical and emotionally, individually and in their relationships. Furthermore, ICAS has succeeded, through the use of vouchers, to create access to comprehensive SRH services appropriate to the characteristics and needs of adolescents.

Prevention and Treatment of Cervical and Breast Cancer

ICAS decided to support countries seeking innovative measures to help prevent deaths caused by the late detection of cervical and breast cancer. ICAS has also worked in the search for alternatives to the deficiencies that affect health services such as the lack of quality control in laboratories, the long periods for delivery of the results and the lack of treatment opportunities. Here you can review the effectiveness of schemes such as "GINECOBONO" in Nicaragua, procedures for quality control and strategies to reach vulnerable groups.