HIVR4P 2024

Recap for The HIV Research for Prevention 2024 #HIVR4P2024, the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference by International AIDS Society will take place in Lima, Peru, and virtually from 6 to 10 October 2024. The Person-Centered HIV Research Team is being represented in-person by our administrative secretary Amauche Ngige who is enroute to Lima,Peru. The Person-Centered HIV Research Team have numerous virtual abstracts, and an in-poster abstract at the conference. 

The HIV Research for Prevention Conference is the only global scientific conference focused exclusively on the challenging and fast-growing field of HIV prevention research. This conference fosters interdisciplinary knowledge exchange on HIV vaccines, microbicides, PrEP, treatment as prevention and biomedical interventions, as well as their social and behavioural implications. 

Day 1: Exciting start at this Satellite session: 

The Brightest Under 30: Celebrating Youth Voices and Promoting Meaningful Youth Engagement in HIV Prevention Research. The session highlighted the crucial role young people play in HIV prevention research, focusing on how their voices can transform clinical trials and implementation research. By fostering meaningful youth participation, we are creating more innovative and effective solutions. Celebrating the contributions of youth-led organizations and young innovators, this session serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of intergenerational collaboration in driving sustainable, inclusive, and impactful HIV research. 

Day 2: Great start with the satellite session on Continuing the conversation: 

A cross-cultural conversation about the collaboration from Africa to Appalachia. This session explored the cultural dynamics between Africa and Appalachia, aiming to deepen the understanding of how these relationships can inform and enhance HIV/AIDS interventions. Next up was a sponsor satellite session on What are we learning from implementation science when including CAB-LA as a PrEP choice? Then finally the day was wrapped up with a great plenary session on Building on Successes. This session highlighted a comprehensive review of the HIV prevention field brought delegates up to date with the successes that have been achieved and the challenges that lie ahead. Successful HIV prevention programmes are based on scientific knowledge and are focused on people vulnerable to HIV acquisition. 

Day 3: Today at HIVR4P, our representative Amauche Ngige attended a great plenary session on New tools: New challenges. This reviewed the new HIV prevention tools such as Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that are in development and/or being rolled out to communities. After which an oral abstract was presented, discussing The big picture: Global trends in HIV prevention. There was an incredible symposium on prevention product profile for future options, including long-acting PrEP formulations and product. This session discussed the issues of choice and combination products in HIV prevention, including the combinations of ARVs with rings, vaccines and bNAbs, as well as in multipurpose technologies, such as an HIV prevention product plus a contraceptive, substance use treatment or STI prevention. 

Day 4: Our Administrative Secretary Amauche Ngige had the privilege of presenting a poster abstract titled "Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Preferences of Young Women of Reproductive Age in a Nigerian Rural Community: A Comparative Assessment Between the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and Long-Acting Cabotegravir." This research sheds light on the preferences and needs of young women in rural Nigeria when it comes to HIV prevention methods, emphasizing the importance of tailoring interventions to meet diverse population needs. It’s inspiring to see how innovations like the dapivirine vaginal ring and long acting cabotegravir are being compared for effectiveness and acceptability in real-world settings. Proud of our team's contributions to HIV prevention research and the steps we're taking to address gaps in global health. This study underscores Person-Centered HIV Research Team commitment to advancing person-centered research that addresses both the clinical and behavioral dimensions of HIV prevention. 

Day 5: The past few days have been packed with insights, meaningful discussions, and innovative strategies around the future of HIV prevention. One of the biggest takeaways for us has been learning about new advancements in PrEP and how tailored approaches can better address diverse prevention needs. It's inspiring to see the progress being made and the commitment of global experts towards ensuring safer and more inclusive options for all. The future of HIV prevention looks promising, and we are excited to stay engaged as these ideas turn into impactful action. 

Looking forward to #HIVR4P 2026, set to take place in Asia and the Pacific Islands!