July 18, 2016 - July 22, 2016

2016 International AIDS Conference (IAS)

Conference Location: Durban, South Africa

The 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) will be held July 18 through 22, in Durban, South Africa. The International AIDS Society Conference is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments, lessons learned, and collectively chart a course forward. AIDS 2016 is expected to convene over 18,000 delegates from around the world. This year’s conference will be particularly momentous; because it is the first International AIDS Society Conference held in Africa since 2000, and because of the recent launch of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending Treatment for All infected with HIV.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) will be in attendance to share and learn at this event. EGPAF has been awarded the honor of three oral abstract-driven presentations and 17 poster presentations (please see below, and feel free to click on the title of each to read our full abstracts). We will be hosting four satellite sessions at AIDS 2016, all of which will focus on closing in on virtual elimination of HIV: from tackling the disease in adolescents to realizing full-scale implementation of the 2015 WHO treatment guidelines (please see below information on when and where these will be held). We will be presenting at several other partner-led satellite sessions. Please visit us at any and all of these presentations and events. We welcome you also to stop by our booth in the exhibition center, to learn more about our work in our 19 countries.

Satellites and Workshops

Use of a dedicated cadre for HIV testing among children: Early experiences from Malawi
Summary:

8th International Workshop on HIV Pediatrics – Reception at Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel & Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa

Infant birth HIV testing is acceptable and does not inhibit return for 6-week testing
Summary:

8th International Workshop on HIV Pediatrics – Reception at Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel & Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa

Know your child's HIV status campaign: an innovative approach to targeted pediatric case finding in Malawi
Summary:

8th International Workshop on HIV Pediatrics – Reception at Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel & Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa

Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free: Finishing the Job of the Global Plan
Date: July 18, 2016
Host(s): EGPAF
Speaker(s): Chip Lyons (EGPAF), Gottfried Hirnschall (WHO), Deborah Birx (PEPFAR), Adrian Thomas (J&J), Josephine Nabukenya (EGPAF), Anthony Lake (UNICEF), Angela Mushavi (MOHCC-Zimbabwe), Luiz Loures (UNAIDS)
Summary:

This satellite session will highlight country-specific progress made under the Global Plan, as well as areas for increased focus to achieve an AIDS-free future for children, adolescents, young women and mothers by 2020. The program will move from discussion around the Global Plan, the Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free campaign, field examples of forward movement and a personal story of HIV program success.

Reaching Treatment for All: Developing a Package of Differentiated Care
Date: July 18, 2016
Speaker(s): Eric Goemaere (MSF), Agnes Mahomva (EGPAF), Anna Grimsrud (IAS), Sydney Rosen (EQUIP), Lynette Mabote (ARASA), Hon. Dr. 'Molotsi Monyamane (Minister of Health, Lesotho), Badara Samb (UNAIDS), Gottfried Hirnschall (WHO)
Summary:

WHO guidelines supporting Treatment for All represent a significant step toward meeting the ambitious 90-90-90 targets and an incredible opportunity to improve individuals’ health, save lives, prevent new infections, and finally end AIDS by 2030. Despite significant progress in scaling up antiretroviral treatment, the HIV community will need new tools and models of care to meet the diagnosis, treatment and care needs of all people living with HIV. This satellite will: 1) describe lessons learned from previous programs that may be applied to the development of a package of differentiated care to implement treatment for all; 2) explore models of differentiated care; and 3) discuss the major barriers, gaps and opportunities to developing differentiated care strategies.

Innovations Needed to Support Treatment for All: From Incremental to Game-Changing
Date: July 19, 2016
Host(s): EGPAF & UNITAID
Speaker(s): Chip Lyons (EGPAF), Lelio Marmora (UNITAID), Carmen Perez Casas (UNITAID), Francesca Celletti (EGPAF), Trevor Peter (African Society for Laboratory Medicine), Francois Venter (WITS), Ade Fakoya (Global Fund), Philippe Duneton (UNITAID); David Ripin (CHAI), Dominique Limet (ViiV), Yogan Pillay (National Department of Health, South Africa), Sharonann Lynch (Medecins sans Frontieres), Tapiwanashe Kujinga (Pan-African Treatment Access Movement), Gottfried Hirnschall (WHO), David Stanton (USAID), Deborah Birx (OGAC), Others TBD
Summary:

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that 21 million AIDS-related deaths, and 28 million new infections, can be averted by 2030 if the WHO Treatment for All approach is implemented, and prevention choices for those not yet infected are available. However, successful implementation of Treatment for All will only be achieved if key innovations are employed and taken to scale. This satellite, hosted by UNITAID and EGPAF, will showcase promising innovative tools in HIV testing and treatment, and focus discussion around opportunities for the global community to support development to efficiently expand treatment to the 21.2 million more people living with HIV who need access to treatment.

Reaching the Sky - Supporting Adolescents with HIV in Living Health and Striving
Date: July 20, 2016
Host(s): EGPAF
Speaker(s): Natella Rakhmanina (EGPAF), Perry Mohammed (Janssen), George Siberry (OGAC), Lloyd Mulenga (University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka)
Summary:

Although there have been major advances in the overall HIV/AIDS response in regards to prevention, care and treatment, new adolescent HIV infections have been increasing. AIDS has become the second leading cause of death among adolescents, globally, and the leading cause of death among adolescents ages 10-19 years in Africa. Access to and uptake of HIV counseling and testing among adolescents has been demonstrated to be significantly lower than adults, and ART coverage and retention rates are lower for adolescents than for any other age group of persons living with HIV. The overall goal of this satellite is to raise awareness, and facilitate discussion, in regards to addressing adolescent-specific needs as a part of a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS care and treatment package.

Implementing Point-of-Care for Early Infant Diagnosis
Date: July 21, 2016
Host(s): African Association of Laboratory Medicine
Summary:

Several point-of-care (POC) early infant HIV diagnosis (EID) technologies are available, which can address the gaps of conventional testing and optimize national EID programs. Given the potential impact of these new devices, the WHO has recommended the use of POC EID in its latest policy brief on infant HIV diagnosis. This session will present the latest information and evidence on POC EID diagnostics to help facilitate the adoption and implementation of new technologies. Presentations on POC EID products will include details on the product pipeline, regulatory status, pricing, and technical performance data. Jennifer Cohn from EGPAF has been invited to present on this strategic procurement and market transparency around POC EID.

Listen Up!: What Youth Living with HIV Need to Achieve 90-90-90
Date: July 20, 2016
Host(s): Project SOAR/USAID, Palladium
Summary:

Youth are at higher risk of acquiring HIV than adults, and youth living with HIV have lower rates of HIV treatment access, retention in care, and viral suppression. Achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets requires engaging youth living with HIV care and treatment. This interactive symposium brings together experience, expertise, and evidence from a consortium of USAID-funded projects—Project SOAR, Health Policy Project, Youth Power Action, and AIDSFree—and the Palladium organization to review gaps and priorities in care and treatment for youths living with HIV research; current HIV trends among youth ages 15-24; and existing programs and tools targeted towards this population’s needs. The meeting will open with youth experiences on barriers to HIV testing, treatment and care, followed by a dynamic discussion between youth, researchers, and implementers on the current research agenda and practical tools for effective and supportive care and treatment. Josephine Nabukenya, an EGPAF ambassador, will be speaking at this session.

Implementation of Option B+: Focus on the PMTCT Continuum including Maternal/Infant Nutrition
Date: July 20, 2016
Host(s): EGPAF
Speaker(s): PEPFAR, USAID, UNICEF, WHO, USAID Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST), EGPAF
Summary:

The satellite session will provide the opportunity to share lessons learned from the implementation of lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all HIV-positive pregnant women, a policy also known as Option B+. Presenters from multiple countries will present findings on challenges and successes from the Partnership for HIV-Free Survival and Option B+ implementation, with a particular focus on methods utilized to enhance HIV-free survival and to promote a continuum of care that includes optimal maternal and infant nutrition in the pre- and postnatal period. In addition, the session will include a review of the latest guidance from WHO on infant feeding in the context of HIV. Roland Van de Ven and Lynne Mofenson of EGPAF will be speaking at this session.

Oral Abstract Sessions

Barriers Must Fall: Community-Led Delivery
Date: July 21, 2017 | 16:30 - 18:00
Location: Session Room 5
Presenter(s): Natella Rakhmanina
Summary:

Approaches to care for the HIV-infected adolescents across national HIV/AIDS programs participating in the New Horizons advancing pediatric HIV care collaborative

Filling the Gaps in PMTCT/B+ Programs
Date: July 20, 2016
Summary:

Early Retention in antenatal care among HIV-positive women enrolled in the Option B+ program in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

It Takes a Community: Leadership, Engagement and Innovation
Summary:

Community leader engagement and peer group attendance improves selected MCH and PMTCT services uptake and retention: preliminary findings from Project ACCLAIM

Project ACCLAIM: Community approaches toward access, uptake and retention in the MCH/PMTCT cascade
Summary:

The goal of the session is to explore the issue of community action in PMTCT and ongoing pediatric care through the successes and challenges of current projects with a focus on scale-up and replication of local initiatives to other locations and settings. The EGPAF ACCLAIM team will be presenting data on MCH and PMTCT improved clinical outcomes related to selected community-based interventions.

Impact of tenofovir-containing triple antiretroviral therapy (ART) on bone mineral density in HIV-infected breastfeeding women in sub-Saharan Africa
Date: July 5, 2016
Location: Reception at Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel & Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa

Poster Presentations

Lessons learned from implementation of Option B+ in Lesotho will inform roll-out of Test and Treat
Author(s): Taha T, Flynn P, Cababasay M, Fowler M, Mofenson L, Owor M, Shapiro D, Fiscus S, Stranix-Chibanda L, Coutsoudis A, Gnanashanmugam D, Chakhtora N, McCarthy K, Mukuzunga C, Kawalazira R, Moodley D, Nematadzira T, Kusakara B, Bhosale R, Vhembo T, Bobat R, Mmbaga B, Masenya M, Nyati M, Theron G, Mulenga H, PROMISE Study Team
Comparing maternal triple antiretrovirals (mART) and infant nevirapine (iNVP) prophylaxis for the prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV during breastfeeding (BF)
Author(s): Taha T, Flynn P, Cababasay M, Fowler M, Mofenson L, Owor M, Shapiro D, Fiscus S, Stranix-Chibanda L, Coutsoudis A, Gnanashanmugam D, Chakhtora N, McCarthy K, Mukuzunga C, Kawalazira R, Moodley D, Nematadzira T, Kusakara B, Bhosale R, Vhembo T, Bobat R, Mmbaga B, Masenya M, Nyati M, Theron G, Mulenga H, PROMISE Study Team
Factors associated with HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women disclosing their HIV test result to their partner in Tabora, Tanzania
Author(s): Mbita G, Antelman G, Woelk G, Njau P, Van de Ven R
Mobile clinics scale-up of HIV care and treatment in rural Mozambique
Author(s): Ouenzar M, Hellmann N, Ramiro I, Alface B, Mehta N, Lucas C, Nhanala A
Improving market transparency and strategic procurement to improve access to point-of-care (POC) early infant HIV diagnosis (EID)
Author(s): Cohn J, Doi N, Allen R, Wareham M, Bonner K, Bailey R, Celletti F
Pre-conception support for couples living with HIV: A strategy to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission at the Senkatana antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in Maseru, Lesotho
Author(s): Akintade O, Tiam A, Sole M, Mpholo T, Ramajoe N, Letsie M, Isavwa A, Thompson A
Acceptability of Option B+ among pregnant and breastfeeding women in select districts in Zimbabwe
Author(s): Chadambuka A, Muchedzi A, Katirayi L, Tumbare E, Musarandega R, Mahomva A, Woelk G
The incremental effect of clinical attachment and clinical mentorship on nurses' confidence and skills in antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation: A post assessment of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Author(s): Muchedzi A, Musarandega R, Chadambuka A, Mutede B, Tachiwenyika E, Nyamundaya T, Muchuchuti C
Patient level tracking through an electronic database (EDB) in resource-limited settings: Lessons learned in implementation of an EDB in Zimbabwe
Author(s): Muchuchuti C, Chigariro T, Tachiwenyika E, Muchedzi A, Chadambuka A, Mahomva A
Early results and lessons from the scale-up of viral load (VL) testing in 13 districts of Southwestern Uganda
Author(s): Walakira M, Natumanya E, Mutagubya J, Rwabugiri C, Nakachwa I, Bitarakwate E
"When Do I Stop This?" Challenges to accepting lifelong treatment among pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and counseling strategies to address them
Author(s): Gill M, Ditekemena J, Bakwalufu J, Mbonze N, Nyombe C, Loando A, Ilunga V, Fwamba F
Exclusive breastfeeding among HIV-positive mothers receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) from prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) clinics in Kigali, Rwanda
Author(s): Ndayisaba GF, Adair LA, Riggle K, Ndatimana D, Bobrow E, Mugwaneza P, Condo J, Asiimwe A, and the Kabeho Study Team
Retention of mother-baby pairs in care at prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) sites in Zimbabwe, April to December 2014: A dataset analysis
Author(s): Chadambuka A, Muchenje E, Muchuchuti C, Tachiwenyika E, Musarandega R, Muchedzi A, Nyamundaya T, Mahomva A, Zinyemba C, Mungati M,Tshimanga M
Viral suppression among HIV-positive women starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) before or during pregnancy in Lesotho
Author(s): Gill M, Nelson Y, Tiam A, Nchephe M, Letsie M, Motsoane T, Mokone M, Mohale S, Kassaye S, Mofenson L, Guay L
Working toward the first '90' - identifying HIV-infected children through inpatient provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC)
Author(s): Mukaminega M, Antelman G, Obedi J, Assenga E, Kanuya A, Buulu A, Van de Ven R
Improving first DNA-PCR uptake for HIV-exposed Infants (HEI) in Southwestern Uganda
Author(s): Nakachwa I, Bitarakwate E, Mugumya L, Natumanya E, Walakira M