The Allocation And Its Influence Factors Of National Fund For HIV/AIDS Prevention And Control In Two Counties Of Hebei Province

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to understand the investigation and allocation of national fund for HIV/AIDS prevention and control at county level from 2008 to 2010; describe the difference between budget and actual allocation; analyze the influence factors; and provide suggestion accordingly for better fund usage.MethodThis study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative method was used to collect information about the budget, demands and actual allocation of national fund for HIV/AIDS prevention and control in two counties in Hebei province. Qualitative individual interview was conducted among staffs of local government departments where national fund for HIV/AIDS prevention and control was received in four counties in Hebei and Yunnan provinces to understand the influence factors of the fund allocation.Result1. National fund for HIV/AIDS prevention and control is the main source of HIV/AIDS funding in study counties.During the study period, the proportion of National fund is much higher than the proportion of local sourced funding in both counties. In Shexian, the proportions of central sourced funding among total amount of fund for 2008-2010 are 94.8%,95.6% and 72.6%, respectively. In Yongnian, these three proportions are 100%,70.5% and 81.3%.2. Budget, demand and actually allocation of the national fund..In Shexian, preventive intervention was the area which had the highest budget in 2008, and it became counseling/testing/surveillance in 2009 and 2010. Preventive intervention was the area which actually received the most amount of funding from 2008-2010. In Yongnian, publicity and education was the area that received the most of funding at all three stages during the study period.The comparison of amounts among budget, demands and actual allocation showed consistency for Shexian only in 2008 and no consistency was observed in Shexian form 2009-2010 and Yongnian during the study period.3. The key factors that affected the fund allocationThe top-down allocation mechanism of central sourced funding causes the difference between budget and actual allocation. Different unit price used at budgeting and allocation stages causes the difference between budget and demands. Lack of considering for the Logistic funding support and non-planned activities could enlarge the difference between the budget and the actual demand.ConclusionNational fund is the main source of HIV/AIDS funding for Shexian and Yongnian. It ensures the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts in the two counties. Then key factors for good fund usage include rational allocation mechanism, standard unit price and purchase procedure. Difference between actual workload and planned workload leads to the difference between planning and demands. The responsibilities of different sectors involved in this procedure should be further clarified and the fund allocation among different areas should be thoughtfully considered. The influence factors of the allocation and use of national fund in low HIV epidemic areas are the same as the factors in high epidemic areas.