Abstract

PARKER, Erica et al. HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Highest burden, largest challenges, greatest potential. South. Afr. j. HIV med. (Online) [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.1, pp.1-8. ISSN 2078-6751.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v22i1.1237.

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 sharedOBJECTIVES: This report summarises relevant evidence and regional experts' recommendations regarding challenges specific to ESAMETHOD: This commentary includes an in-depth review of relevant literature, progress against global goals and consensus opinion from expertsRESULTS: 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 ESACONCLUSION: 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

Keywords : HIV epidemiology; public health; risk factors; vulnerable populations; prevention and control; early diagnosis.

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