HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Highest burden, largest challenges, greatest potential

Journal article

Background: The burden of HIV is especially concerning for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), as despite expansion of test-and-treat programmes, this region continues to experience significant challenges resulting from high rates of morbidity, mortality and new infections. Hard-won lessons from programmes on the ground in ESA should be shared. Objectives: This report summarises relevant evidence and regional experts’ recommendations regarding challenges specific to ESA. Method: This commentary includes an in-depth review of relevant literature, progress against global goals and consensus opinion from experts. Results: Recommendations include priorities for essential research (surveillance data collection, key and vulnerable population education and testing, in-country testing trials and evidence-based support services to improve retention in care) as well as research that can accelerate progress towards the prevention of new infections and achieving ambitious global goals in ESA. Conclusion: The elimination of HIV in ESA will require continued investment, commitment to evidence-based programmes and persistence. Local research is critical to ensuring that responses in ESA are targeted, efficient and evaluated.

Authors: Parker, E; Judge, MA; Macete, E; Nhampossa, T; Dorward, J

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: AOSIS
• Journal: Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 1
• Article number: a1237
• Publication date: 2021-05-28
• Acceptance date: 2021-04-01
• DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v22i1.1237
• EISSN: 2078-6751
• ISSN: 1608-9693
• Language: English
• Keywords: FFR