Fostering Hiv Innovation Through Community Engagement

This report provides a high-level summary of three community dialogues conducted at the end of 2023 in Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa by ITPC in partnership with BONELA, Dream Alive, and NACOSA respectively. [...] The dialogues emphasize the role of community leaders in shaping the narrative around LAIs and the broader HIV treatment landscape. [...] Fostering HIV innovation through community engagement 3 MAJOR FINDINGS Findings are organized by knowledge gaps, concerns, readiness issues, and opportunities related to LAIs, offering an exploration of the diverse viewpoints expressed by community leaders. Knowledge gaps ● Community leaders revealed substantial knowledge gaps in understanding HIV and LAIs. A knowledge quiz administered in th [...] using pill colors or nicknames) were expressed due to the complexity of terms. ● Limited knowledge about the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and LAIs for prevention indicated the need for more education. [...] ● Participants considered the influence of cost on their country’s decision to provide LAIs, emphasizing potential human rights and non- discrimination issues. Concerns were raised about the willingness or hesitance to pay extra for access.Fostering HIV innovation through community engagement 5 Readiness gaps ● Readiness gaps encompassed healthcare provider training, resource challenges, securi [...] South Africa had concerns about knowledge gaps and the applicability of injectables in the elderly. [...] ● LAIs were discussed as a means to improve the quality of life, particularly for women facing challenges with tablet adherence during experiences like gender-based violence. [...] Community leaders uniformly acknowledged the vital role of community-based organizations as equal partners in national processes related to LAIs. Participating organizations were recognized for complementing government efforts, reaching vulnerable populations in remote areas, and enhancing education and awareness.CONCLUSION The participants in the dialogue actively engaged in discussions on [...] Inspired by this engagement, ITPC plans to create tailored educational materials aligned with community needs and to give regular updates on progress and access. ITPC commits to utilizing these insights in its role on the Steering Committee of the HIV Long- Acting Treatment Coordination Platform. [...] Acknowledgments ITPC extends heartfelt gratitude to the diverse range of organizations that played a crucial role in the success of the dialogues in Botswana, South Africa, and Eswatini.