The latest international news, analysis and features on the HIV epidemic from Avert. Share your views and expertise with your peers in the comments box below the articles.
Despite a willingness of men to undergo voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) for HIV prevention benefits in sub-Saharan Africa, uptake is low with just 56% of the 20.8 million circumcisions by 2016 target met.
A qualitative study of women in Malawi who chose not to take HIV treatment as part of the country’s Option B+ programme, or who interrupted their treatment, has found that needing more time to think, concerns about partner support, and side-effects were important reasons for declining to take HIV treatment.
Although more Ugandan men are seeking medical circumcision, the government is falling short of its 80 per cent target. This has led some health experts to ask if Uganda should adopt a new strategy to encourage more men to come forward.
The recent approval of the drug Truvada in Kenya as PrEP reflects commitment from the regulatory authority to fast-track the review of drugs of public health importance.
