Follow the Money: Knowns and unknowns when it comes to cash transfers and financial incentives to improve health in people living with and/or at risk of HIV

This webinar featured Wafaa El-Sadr, principal investigator of HPTN 065, which evaluated the use of cash incentives in improving outcomes for people living with HIV in the United States.

These were useful talks from CROI and excerpts from AVAC Report 2014/15 as preparation for our webinar:

CROI Webcast: Effect of Financial Incentives on Linkage to Care and Viral Suppression: HPTN 065
CROI Webcast: Social Protection, Financial Incentives and Prevention of HIV
Excerpts from AVAC Report on target setting and targets that worked

Demanding Clarity on PrEP: Understanding recent data on oral PrEP

This webinar featured Jean-Michel Molina of the French research agency ANRS and Sheena McCormack of the UK Medical Research Council discussing the data from the IPERGAY and PROUD studies, respectively. Both trials evaluated oral TDF/FTC (brand name Truvada) as PrEP in gay men and other men who have sex with men, and both reported high levels of protection against HIV acquisition. PROUD prescribed a daily pill regimen; IPERGAY asked trial participants to follow an “event driven” regimen that involved a sequence of doses before and after sex. IPERGAY participants took an average of four doses per week—comparable to the estimated protective dose required in trials of daily oral PrEP.

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After FACTS: What’s next for HIV prevention in women?

FACTS 001, which released data at CROI, found no evidence of protection overall associated with the vaginal gel. Partners Demonstration Project, which reported data at the same meeting, found that serodiscordant couples using oral PrEP and/or ART had very low levels of HIV transmission. In this webinar, we discussed what these and other data meant for women, including young and adolescent girls.

Success with PrEP: Next Steps to Support Policy Decisions in Southern and East Africa

Convened on 26 October 2014 by AVAC, UNAIDS and WHO, this meeting brought together representatives of ministries of health and national AIDS councils, PrEP researchers and participants from research and demonstration sites where PrEP is currently being delivered in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, along with funders, manufacturers and HIV advocates and activists. Through a series of presentations, moderated discussions and small group work, participants shared current experiences and helped define a structured approach to considering the integration of PrEP in HIV prevention programs in the region. In addition, some of the knowledge gaps that remain to be researched were identified.

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Slides from the Workshop on Alternative Trial Designs for Microbicides

CONRAD, AVAC and the Forum for Collaborative HIV Research convened a workshop on alternative trial designs for microbicides which generated lively discussion among more than 60 participants. All slide presentations from the workshop are included.

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What do women want in multipurpose technologies?

Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) are a fast-growing area in women’s sexual and reproductive health. On November 12, AVAC and CAMI Health co-hosted a webinar: MPT Acceptability in Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa.

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Data and Uncertainty: Understanding updates on hormonal contraceptives and HIV

AIDS 2014 featured analyses of data on the potential relationship between hormonal contraceptives and risk of HIV infection. Researchers Charles Morrison (FHI 360) and Kristin Wall (Emory University), and Mary Lyn Gaffield from the WHO discussed the newest findings and guidance.

Facing Questions about Hormonal Contraceptives and HIV: What’s next in getting answers?

In this webinar we learned about and discussed proposed research to directly evaluate how different family planning methods might impact HIV risk.

Trial designs are actively being discussed and funding is being sought for such research—but there are many questions where advocates’ voices are needed: What should a trial look like? How can method mix (the range of available family planning options) be expanded for all women? What can be done to better integrate HIV and family planning in the meantime?

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The Bottom Line in HIV Prevention… Rectal Microbicides

“The Bottom Line in HIV Prevention… Rectal Microbicides” was presented by Jim Pickett at the 22nd Annual Illinois HIV/STD Conference, October 16, 2013. This presentation provides introductory information on rectal microbicides as an HIV prevention strategy.

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Africa Needs Safe and Accessible Lube Today; Rectal Microbicides Tomorrow

“Africa Needs Safe and Accessible Lube Today; Rectal Microbicides Tomorrow” was presented by Cindra Feuer (AVAC) and Jim Pickett (IRMA) at the AMSHeR pre-conference at ICASA 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa. The presentation includes a discussion on the WHO prevention guidelines; and updates on PrEP and rectal microbicides.