WSU DR EXPLORES HIV PREVENTION INNOVATIONS AT PERU CONFERENCE

WSU’s Dr Sisanda Siqithi showcased her research at the HIV Research for Prevention Conference in Peru, Western South America which focused on advancing pre-exposure prevention (PrEP) methods for HIV infection.

Her study, titled “The Effects of Timing of Maternal ART Therapy Initiation, CD4 Count, and HIV Viral Load on Birth Outcomes in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa,” highlighted critical insights into improving health outcomes for pregnant women living with HIV.

Siqithi’s presentation shed light on the interplay between antiretroviral therapy (ART) timing, immune response, and birth outcomes in South Africa. Her findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about improving maternal health while preventing HIV transmission.

“There are no apparent health concerns for pregnant women or adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. In other words, the drugs used in PrEP do not pose a risk to the health of pregnant women or their unborn children,” said Siqithi.

Siqithi further advocated for the integration of sexually transmitted infection (STI) control within PrEP programmes to enhance their effectiveness. However, she noted that despite extensive research, the high mutation rate of the HIV virus continues to challenge vaccine development.

“South Africa’s progress in implementing PrEP began in 2016, targeting key populations such as sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and later adolescent girls and young women. To date, over 1.3 million individuals have initiated PrEP, with services now available at 4 014 primary healthcare facilities nationwide,” she said.

Reflecting on the conference, Siqithi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with international experts.

“We were presented with the opportunity to meet and engage with leading experts in HIV research from various countries. This provided us with diverse perspectives and valuable knowledge from different regions,” she said.

She also praised the conference for its focus on fostering innovation in HIV prevention, highlighting the importance of ongoing research in this critical field.

By Anita Roji