AIDS 2012
July 22, 2012 - July 27, 2012
Washington, D.C.
The
International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) was held in Washington, D.C. on July 22-27, 2012. The world’s premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as for policy makers, persons living with HIV, and other individuals committed to ending the AIDS pandemic, the conference represented a chance to assess the current global response to HIV and AIDS; evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learned; and chart a course forward. New scientific knowledge was presented, and attendees had many opportunities for structured dialogue.
The International AIDS Society, which organized AIDS 2012 in collaboration with its international and local partners, is the world’s leading independent association of HIV professionals, numbering over 16,000 members in 196 countries. Comprised of HIV and AIDS researchers, professionals, and policymakers, IAS promotes dialogue and advocates for continued discussion and progress in the global fight against HIV and AIDS.
Although AIDS 2012 has ended, those interested can still visit the official conference website at
www.aids2012.org. EGPAF's
egpaf-ias.org website features additional updates, blog posts, event information, publications, media resources, and photos.
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SATELLITE SESSIONS
Title: Together We Can: Achieving Virtual Elimination of New Pediatric HIV Infections in Zimbabwe by 2015 through Strategic Public-Private Partnerships
Date and Time: Sunday, July 22, 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Session Room 5
Organizer: EGPAF/Zimbabwe
Led by: Agnes Mahomva, Country Director, Zimbabwe;
Introduced by Chip Lyons, EGPAF President and CEO
Description:
The Government of Zimbabwe recently set an ambitious goal of reducing the rate of vertical HIV transmission nationally to less than 5% by 2015. In support of this goal, EGPAF, together with the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MOHCW), launched a massive effort in 2010 to ambitiously scale up a wide range of proven prevention PMTCT interventions using the country’s recent national adoption of the revised 2010 WHO PMTCT guidelines (Option A) as a catalyst. Early results of these efforts have been extremely promising. Between 2010 and 2011, the proportion of PMTCT facilities providing combination maternal ARV prophylaxis in line with the revised PMTCT guidelines increased from 8% to 86%, while the proportion of treatment-eligible HIV-positive pregnant women initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) increased from 7% to 30%. This session, moderated by EGPAF's Country Director for Zimbabe Dr. Agnes Mahomva, will feature first-hand accounts from government, donors, and implementing partners on the steps that have resulted in such rapid progress and the future direction of PMTCT scale-up in Zimbabwe.
Title: Eliminating Pediatric AIDS and Keeping Mothers Alive from an Implementation Perspective – Best Practices, Programmatic Barriers, and Bottlenecks in the Field
Date and Time: Sunday, July 22, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Mini Room 1
Co-organizers: EGPAF, mothers2mothers, and Johnson & Johnson
EGPAF lead: RJ Simonds, Vice President, Program Innovation and Policy
Description:
The “Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and Keeping Their Mothers Alive” was launched in 2011. Join us to learn how implementers are addressing a range of programmatic challenges to implementing this Plan in the areas of capacity building for country ownership; continuity of care; demand creation and increasing uptake of services; and using data for program improvement. Through a fast-paced series of 12-16 issue-oriented four-minute presentations moderated by John Donnelly (GlobalPost), this session will feature people working on the front lines of program implementation from 10 high-burden countries, representing five implementing organizations. Each presenter will raise a specific challenge, explain how it was addressed, describe the result, and share what is being done next. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with presenters for further discussion of implementation barriers and solutions.
Title: Using Mobile Technologies to Eliminate Pediatric HIV
Date and Time: Monday, July 23, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Mini Room 3
Co-organizers: EGPAF, mHealth Alliance, Johnson & Johnson
Moderator: Bill Philbrick (mHealth Alliance)
Panelists: Seble Kassaye (EGPAF), Merrick Schaefer (UNICEF/WB), Shafeeq Essajee (CHAI)
Description:
The goal of this session is to showcase evidence-based mHealth solutions that improve prevention of vertical transmission results. Global efforts to eliminate new infections of HIV in children by 2015 and reduce maternal deaths are showing signs of success. Prevention of vertical transmission efforts utilize a cascade of services during pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding to diminish the risk of HIV transmission and to promote the health of mothers and babies. However, there are a number of critical points along this cascade where breakdowns occur, such as insufficient access to, and utilization of, services; losses to follow-up; and suboptimal adherence to treatment and prophylaxis regimens. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that the use of mobile phone technologies can help address key gaps along the PMTCT cascade. The session will demonstrate how gaps can be reduced or eliminated through mobile technology (mHealth) solutions.
Title: mHealth101: An Introduction to Mobile Technologies for HIV/AIDS Programs
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 25, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Location: Mini Room 1
Co-organizers: Cell-Life, EGPAF, InSTEDD, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, and mHealth Alliance
EGPAF Presenter: Appolinaire Tiam, Technical Officer, Lesotho
Description:
This session will introduce the HIV/AIDS community to mobile health (mHealth) and promote the mainstreaming of mHealth into programming. mHealth uses mobile technologies to improve health outcomes, and it can provide cost-effective solutions for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The session will explore the uses of mobile phones in HIV interventions, including supporting adherence to medication regimes; patient follow-up; social networking to encourage dialogue around love, sex, and relationships; prevention through health messaging; referrals; data collection and analysis; and clinical decision support. The panel will be moderated by the mHealth Alliance, and presenters will include representatives from EGPAF, Cell-Life, InSTEDD, and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.
SCIENTIFIC SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS
Title: Addressing the Psychosocial Support Needs of Transitioning Adolescents Living with HIV since Childhood: a Global Perspective
Dates and Times:
Main Conference - Monday, July 23, 2:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Global Village - Tuesday, July 24, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location:
Main Conference - Mini Room 7
Global Village - Session Room 2
Chaired by: Alana Hairston, Technical Officer, Program Innovation and Policy, and Princess Nuru, Uganda
Description:
This workshop will address the psychosocial needs of transitioning adolescents who have been living with HIV since birth. A keynote speaker will provide participants with an overview of the demographics, needs, and challenges faced by perinatal HIV-infected young people worldwide. A four-member panel comprised of researchers, implementers, and advocates will delve into four topics (retention in care and transitional care needs; appropriate psychosocial support; sexual and reproductive health; and gaps in research). The final portion of the workshop will be comprised of group work with the aim of identifying innovative approaches to the four topics explored by the panel through a facilitated discussion using a discussion guide and case studies. Participants will gain an understanding of existing research and studies identifying psychosocial needs of transitioning perinatal HIV-infected adolescents; describe evidence-based approaches that have been used to address these needs successfully; and be able to formulate practical approaches to current challenges and trends emerging within this niche population.
Title: Getting to Six Million: Lessons from the Track 1.0 PEPFAR Treatment Partners
Date and Time: Wednesday, July 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Mini Room 7
Chaired by: Deborah Birx, Director of the Center for Global Health Division of Global HIV/AIDS, and John Idoko, Nigeria National Agency for the Control of AIDS Director General
EGPAF presenter: Anja Giphart, Vice President, Program Implementation
Description:
President Obama has announced the new goal of helping host countries get six million persons living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the end of 2013. The PEPFAR Track 1.0 Care and Treatment Program represents the United States Government's largest HIV commitment to date, providing $2.2 billion from 2004-2011 to EGPAF, Harvard University, ICAP-Columbia University, and the AIDS Relief Consortium. As of July 2011, PEPFAR Track 1.0 programming has supported provision of ART for 936,106 PLHIV, representing 26% of 3.6 million PLHIV on ART directly attributable to PEPFAR. This was accomplished through the implementation of novel approaches to ensure rapid, high-quality, and sustainable treatment scale-up. The workshop will share lessons about how program efficiencies and capacities were designed, scaled up, and transitioned successfully to local partners. Diverse country representatives will address how these lessons can be leveraged to meet the ambitious treatment goals.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Building Bridges: HIV and Non-Communicable Diseases
Date and time: Monday, July 23, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Session Room 7
Abstract: Family Health Days: An Innovative Approach to Providing Integrated Health Services for HIV and Non-Communicable Diseases Among Adults and Children in Hard-to-Reach Areas of Lesotho
Presenter: Appolinaire Tiam
Authors: Tiam A, Oyebanji O, Ahimbisibwe A, Isavwa A, Buhendwa L, Putsoane M, Foso M, Ts’oeu M, Nyabela M, Pakela, Khonyana J.
How and How Often: Issues of Laboratory Monitoring
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 24, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Mini Room 4
Abstract: Evaluating the Effect of the Use of Point-of-Care CD4 Machines on Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Eligibility Screening and ART Initiation for HIV-positive Pregnant Women in Zimbabwe: Towards Elimination of New Paediatric HIV Infection by 2015
Presenter: Auxilia Muchedzi
Authors: Muchedzi A, Chadambuka A, Chikwinya B, Mahomva A.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
NOTE: All poster exhibits will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the main Poster Exhibition Hall on Level 2 on the corresponding dates listed below. Presenters will be by posters between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to answer questions.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Eleven years of experience in rapid scale-up of integrated PMTCT services in Cameroon using a public-private partnership approach
Mboh Khan E, Miller L, Tih P, Nkfusai J, Nshom E, Kuni E, Welty T.
A review of TB screening and evaluation forms in Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Tanzania
Agbo S, Vezi T, Tchomian C, Kassone S, Nguessan P, Tarimo A.
Integrating PMTCT into Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Services: From Policy to Implementation
Tiam A, Mphale M, Tlebere P, Nyabela M, Oyebanji O, Ahimbisibwe A, Isavwa A, Buhendwa L, Mokone M, Putsoane M, Foso M.
Mentoring nurses on the use of WHO z scores for clinical staging to increase timely initiation of HIV-infected children on ART
TS’oeu M, Isavwa A, Tiam A, Teethe J, Ramajoe N , Lethetsa A, Lebelo L, Morris M, Buhendwa L.
TB screening practices in HIV care and treatment settings in Tanzania
Kassone S, Agbo S, Mathias S, Soumahoro MK, Kimarao C, Lee S.
Scaling up collaborative TB/HIV activities in EGPAF supported HIV/AIDS facilities: the Tanzania experience
Msofe Y, Mathias S, Kassone S, Kimario C, Ng’wanakilala T, Van’t Pad Bosch J.
Monitoring TB in childhood and early adolescence in ART Clinics: The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s experience in supporting the Tanzania Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Kassone S, Agbo S, Tarimo A, Mathias S, Msoffe Y, Kimario C.
Improving the continuum of care by promoting male involvement in PMTCT in Nzega District, Tanzania
Mtambalike T, Van De Ven R, Kilimba N, Mbita G, Makika J.
The Challenge of Translating Policy into Practice: The impact of revised prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV guideline implementation on uptake of infant antiretroviral prophylaxis in South-Western Uganda
Walakira M, Sripipatana T, Namubiru M, Mirembe Kunya B, Kajungu E, Musinguzi H, Bitarakwate E.
Access to HIV Counseling and Testing and Maternity Services among HIV-Positive Pregnant Women in Uganda’s South Western Region: Does Age and Education Level Play a Significant Role?
Seclen-Palacin J, Natumanya E, Bitarakwate E, Ismail S, Lwanga S, Muzungi H.
A Training Strategy to Support Rapid Roll-out of the WHO 2010 PMTCT Guidelines in Zimbabwe
Makotore A, Nyamundaya T, Chikwinya B, Muchedzi A, Chadambuka A, Mugwagwa R, Ndoro T.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Mobilizing Community Engagement in the Elimination of new HIV Infections in Children through Capacity Building of Media Practitioners
Madiro-Zinyemba C, Makunike-Chikwinya B, Mahomva A.
The Impact of HIV Test Results on Subsequent Antenatal Care Attendance by Women in Rural Hospitals in Lesotho
Tiam A, Gill M, Machekano R, Isavwa A, Foso M, Ahimsibwe A, Oyebanji O, Akintade OL, Buhendwa L.
Using quality improvement methodologies to improve quality of pediatric HIV care and initiation of ART – Tanzania
Kalimunda J, Morris M, Lutkam D, van de Ven R, Masao M, Masendeka L, Mbita G, Schimana W, Van’t Pad Bosch J.
Promoting data use by facility-level staff in Rwanda through the use of automated data reports
Peterson J, Godwin C, Hoffman N, Ndatimana N, van Zyl C, Karangwa C.
Using Data to Improve Clinical Mentoring to Healthcare Workers and PMTCT Site Performance in Swaziland
Kudiabor K, Sbongile W, Simelane L, Mahdi MA, Chouraya C, Nhlabatsi V.
How a simple quality improvement initiative by health facility staff lead to improvement of CD4 testing and ART enrolment for pediatrics: experiences from Mawenzi Regional Hospital, Tanzania
Ng’wanakilala T, Kalimunda J, Morris M, Lutkam D, Mpanga A, Lugenge L, Temba M, Van’t Pad Bosch J.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
An innovative, rapid national scale-up of effective PMTCT services in a resource-limited setting to facilitate virtual elimination of new pediatric HIV infections by 2015: A Zimbabwe experience
A.I. Mahomva, B. Makunike-Chikwinya, T. Nyamundaya, R. Musarandega, A. Mushavi, O. Mugurungi, N. Hellman
Increasing Access and Utilization of HIV Care and Treatment Services in Nyanza Province, Kenya through Integration, Decentralization, and Task Shifting
Muthama D, Matu L, Okal C, Soti D, Otieno G, Kose J, Savosnick P, Kioko J.
Increasing Access to HIV Care and Treatment for Children in Four Provinces of Mozambique, 2007-2011
Mikusova S, Alons C, Seclen J.
Modeling HIV care and treatment data in Tanzania to assess the impact of ART programs in averting AIDS-related deaths and improving quality of life for people living with HIV
Moroni M, Msoffe Y, Mbita G, van de Ven R.
Assessing gaps in prevention mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programming towards elimination of new HIV infections in children: A rapid assessment of the Zimbabwe national PMTCT program
Muchedzi A, Chadambuka A, Chikwinya B, Mushavi A, Mahomva A.
Building Management Capacity in Swaziland to Support Implementation of Newly Adapted WHO PMTCT Guidelines
Mahdi M, Masuku T, Kudiabor K, Chouraya C, Bohmer L, Murphy C, Nhlabatsi B.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Integrating HIV care and treatment services into prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services at reproductive and child health clinics in Tanzania to increase access for HIV-positive pregnant women
Haule A, Van de Ven R, Simbo G, Charles D, Mbita G.
Translating HIV Integration Research from Policy to Practice Change: Lessons Learned from Zambia
Strasser S, Vwalika C, Njobvu P, Ncube A, Tembo-Mumba G, Sripipatana T, Chintu N, Peeling R.
Point-of-care CD4 testing leads to increased uptake of antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women in Gaza Province, Mozambique
De Schacht C, Lucas C, Sitoe N, Manuel I, Tobaiwa O, Ramanlal N, Quevedo J, Kassaye S, Sixpence J , Jani IV.
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