The Linkages across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES) project developed an enhanced peer outreach approach (EPOA) t
Blogs
Implementing an enhanced peer outreach approach (EPOA) to expand reach of HIV services among key populations
Tiffany Lillie
Through time: the breakthroughs changing the course of HIV treatment
Allie Nawrat
This has been a landmark year for HIV treatment; a seven-year study confirmed that taking ART can prevent transmission between gay couples and a second patient has been effectively cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant as a cancer treatment.
There’s power in OPTIONS: Recent developments from the project that is optimizing HIV prevention technology introduction on schedule
Aubrey Weber, Technical Officer, FHI 360
“We know that life-changing HIV prevention solutions are available, but it’s critical to think strategically about how an innovation like PrEP is meaningful to our priority users.
Linking HIV-positive key population members to treatment: Burundi’s five secrets to success
Aubrey Weber, Tiffany Lillie, Dorica Boyee and Dismas Gashobotse
The LINKAGES project first started working in Burundi in August 2016 to reduce HIV transmission among key populations and improve their enrollment and retention in care and treatment. Within the past three years, LINKAGES Burundi has consistently experienced high rates of linking newly diagnosed HIV-positive female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender people to care and treatment. Between the first quarter of FY18 and the second quarter of FY19, the average rates for linkage to antiretroviral treatment were 98 percent among FSWs, 96 percent among MSM, and 100 percent among transgender people. This blog outlines the five “secrets” LINKAGES Burundi credits for their success.
Scoring big with Grassroot Soccer at SA AIDS 2019
Aubrey Weber, Johanna Theunissen and Danya-Zee Pedra
The biennial South African AIDS Conference (SA AIDS 2019), which took place earlier this month in Durban, South Africa, was an opportunity to meet a diverse range of players in the field of HIV and AIDS -- and one of the most innovative and inspiring of these is definitely Grassroot Soccer (GRS), so the SHARE team was really excited to get the chance to chat with some of the organization’s coaches, or young adult mentors, and master trainers about the work they are doing and what brought them to the conference.
Breaking the cycle of transmission: Finding new ways to reach young men with HIV services in South Africa
Johanna Theunissen, Communications Officer, Technical Support to PEPFAR Programs, Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Malawi
South Africa’s health data demonstrate that young men are less likely to test for HIV and less likely to start treatment when diagnosed as HIV-positive. Young men living with HIV often transmit the virus to younger female partners, contributing to an inter-generational cycle of transmission.
Our key takeaways from SA AIDS 2019
The SHARE team
Reflecting on this year’s South African AIDS Conference, the SHARE team identified six key messages.
Battling the perfect storm
Leora Casey, Key Populations Manager, NACOSA
At the 9th South African AIDS Conference (SA AIDS 2019), I can only reflect on the work we have done over the years in the fight against HIV. So many inspiring scientists, community representatives and activists in the room working to turn the tide on this virus. ‘Unprecedented innovation and technologies’ was a fitting theme for this year’s biennial conference: 19 years on from the first SA AIDS Conference, South Africa has become a world leader in the work to end AIDS.
SHARE-ing social media strategies for success: What’s worked for us
Aubrey Weber, Technical Officer, FHI 360
The Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Regional Exchange (SHARE) was first developed in 2011 to address the need for a free, user-friendly space for online knowledge sharing of locally-relevant HIV and AIDS information. Since its inception, SHARE has connected thousands of people to resources, peers, organizations, online learning, and tools for collaboration. Almost daily, SHARE posts new content to its social media profiles on Facebook and Twitter to further amplify what the platform has to offer. SHARE’s experiences have led to a new wealth of knowledge on what it takes to lead a successful social media strategy. Presented here are a few tips based on what has worked for us.
Participants’ expectations for the South African AIDS Conference
SHARE team
The SHARE team chatted with a range of delegates to find out their expectations for this week’s conference, including academics, clinicians, and representatives from civil society organizations.
