The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is thrilled to have joined other stakeholders at the 16th Annual National HIV/TB/STI/Viral Hepatitis Conference, which brought together experts across Africa to advance the fight against HIV and related diseases.
The conference served as a platform for exchanging groundbreaking research and innovative strategies to address the ongoing challenges of these epidemics. Among the notable presentations was a research study by CIDRZ led by Dr Monica Chibesakunda, titled “Empowering Maternal Health: Scaling Up Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in HIV Prevention in Lusaka Province.”
The study, conducted between October 2021 and September 2024, highlighted how integrating PrEP services into Maternal and Child Health (MCH) units increases uptake among women and is feasible through capacity building of existing healthcare staff.
The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions in reducing HIV transmission rates among vulnerable populations, particularly women, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.