INTEREST
Meeting category
Date(s)
9 May 2023 - 12 May 2023
Program Language
English, French, Portuguese
Location
Maputo, Mozambique
Meeting type
In-Person Meeting

INTEREST 2023

Related Enduring Materials

Enduring Materials
The presentation videos and slides for speakers’ lectures are made available, provided that they have granted us permission to do so.
Session 1: Official Opening Ceremony -
Speech by H.E. Ambassador of PEPFAR
John Nkengasong, PhD
U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), United States
The Road to 95-95-95: Progress in HIV Prevention and Treatment Scale-up in Sub-Saharan Africa
Gloria Bille
UNAIDS, South Africa
Session 2: Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases I: James Hakim Memorial Lectures -
Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases: Role of Surveillance
Lucille H Blumberg, MB, BCH, MMed (Clin Micro), ID (SA), FFTM (RCP Glasgow), DTM&H, DOH, DCH, D.Sc.
National Institute for Communicable Diseases / Right to Care, South Africa
The Strategic Role of the Africa CDC in Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases in Africa
Nafiisah Chotun, PhD, FRSPH, MRSTMH
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Ethiopia
Long Covid: Pathophysiology, Presentation, and Management
François Venter, MD, FCP, PhD
Ezintsha, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Oral Abstract Presentations I -
High Prevalence of HIV Drug Resistance Below the WHO Threshold of 1000 Copies/ML Among Adolescents Receiving Antiretroviral Treatment in Cameroon (#01)
Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda
Cameroon
HIV Sero-Conversions Among Adolescent Girl and Young Female Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DPV-R) Users: Early Learnings From a Demonstration Project in Zimbabwe (#02)
Jabulani Mavudze
Zimbabwe
Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Female Sex Workers Living With HIV - A Crossectional Survey in Nairobi, Kenya (#03)
Maureen Akolo
Kenya
Community Index Testing Among Children of Female Sex Workers and of Other Vulnerable Groups Is an Effective Approach for Reaching Children Under 5: Results From Routine Service Data Analysis in Tanzania (#04)
Elizabeth Herman
Tanzania
Session 3: Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases II -
COVID-19 Variants and Implication for Vaccination
Sikhulile Moyo, MSc, MPH, PhD
Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership / Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Botswana
COVID-19 and Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes
Jean B. Nachega, MD, PhD, MPH, FRCP, FAAS
University of Pittsburgh / Johns Hopkins University, United States Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Session 4: Opening Day Formal Debate: The UNAIDS Fast Track “95-95-95” HIV Treatment Goal by 2030 is Unrealistic for Children Living with HIV -
First Speaker For the Proposition
Nadia Sam-Agudu, MD, CTropMed
University of Minnesota / Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, United States / Nigeria
First Speaker Against the Proposition
Second Speaker For the Proposition
Second Speaker Against the Proposition
Kenly Sikwese
AfroCAB Treatment Access Partnership, Zambia
Rebuttal
Nadia Sam-Agudu, MD, CTropMed
University of Minnesota / Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, United States / Nigeria
Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha, MBChB, MMed, MPH
Independent Consultant, Kenya
Session 5: HIV Prevention and Cure -
New HIV Prevention Technologies
Nyaradzo Mavis Mgodi, MBChB, MMed
University of Zimbabwe Clinical Trials Research Centre, Zimbabwe
Advances in HIV Cure Science
Melissa-Rose Abrahams, PhD
University of Cape Town, South Africa
HIV Vaccines, Where Are We Now?
Nono Mkhize, PhD
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa
Oral Abstract Presentations II -
Cytokine Profile and Association With Disease Severity in Maputo, Mozambique (#05)
Vânia Maphossa
Mozambique
Improving Tuberculosis Case Identification Through Intensive Community Door-To-Door TB Screening in Teso Region, North Eastern Uganda (#06)
Saadick Ssentongo
Uganda
Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Transitioning to 6 Monthly Multi-Month Dispensing of Antiretroviral Therapy to People Living With HIV in the COVID-19 Era in Malawi (#07)
Rachel Chamanga Kanyenda
Malawi
Statistical Modelling of the Impact of Poverty Elimination and Access to Social Protection on Global HIV Incidence (#08)
Boladé Hamed Banougnin
South Africa
Industry Symposium I | ViiV: I Am Not A Statistic, Hear Me: Voices of Young People Living With HIV -
Young People Should be Partners in their Healthcare
Nneka Nwokolo, FRCP
ViiV Healthcare / Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, United Kingdom
Sibulele Sibaca Nomnganga, BA, GIBS
Impact Drivers, South Africa
Sunflower Nyemba
Young People’s Network on Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and AIDS (YPNSRHHA), Zimbabwe
Lauren Jennings, MBChB, MSc
Gugulethu Research Office / Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, South Africa
Mini-Oral Abstract Presentations I -
Non-reporting of Intimate Partner Violence Among Index Case Testing Clients: Experience From Malawi (#09)
Maria Sanena
Malawi
Predictors of Sustained Viral Suppression Among Children Living With HIV in Kenya: Secondary Analysis of Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial (#10)
Patrick Owiti
Kenya
Prevalence and Predictors of Persistent Low-Level HIV Viraemia Among People Receiving Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in Southern Nigeria (#11)
Ogheneuzuazo Onwah
Nigeria
Prevalence of Advanced HIV Disease at Enrollment in Care and Associated Factors Among Adult Individuals During the Treat All Era at Selected Public Health Centres in Kampala, Uganda (#12)
Bridget Ainembabazi
Uganda
Retaining Clients in ART Care Through an Innovative Community- Based DSD Models in Southern Rural Zimbabwe: The Out-Of-Facility Community Distribution Model (#13)
Kudakwashe Takarinda
Zimbabwe
Devenir a 24 Mois Des Patients Infectés Par le VIH-1 Initiant le Dolutégravir à Abidjan (#14)
Wardatou Dine Mourtada
Ivory Coast
Session 6: HIV and Adolescents -
HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disease Among Adolescents
Rashida Ferrand, FRCP, PhD, FMed Sci
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom / Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Zimbabwe
Reaching Adolescent Girls and Young Women: What Interventions Work?
Linda-Gail Bekker, MBChB, DTMH, DCH, FCP(SA), PhD
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation / University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
Session 7: Elimination of Vertical Transmission and HIV in Children -
Eliminating Vertical HIV Transmission - Are We There Yet?
Lynda Stranix-Chibanda, MBChB, MMed
University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Where Are the Missing Children: Closing the Paediatric HIV Gap
Yogan Pillay, PhD
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Aiming for Gold - The Botswana Quest for Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV
Mogomotsi Matshaba, MD, MB BCh BAO, BMedSci (Hons)
Baylor College of Medicine, United States / Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence, Botswana
Special Session I - World Health Organization: Hands-on Session: How to Effectively Use WHO Resources to Boost R&D Efforts Programme -
Introduction to R&D Support at WHO and Perspective on Why It Matters
Sarah Charnaud, PhD
World Health Organization, Switzerland
Anna Laura Ross, PhD
World Health Organization, Switzerland
Hands on Session with International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: What Trials are Being Performed Where and By Who
Sarah Charnaud, PhD
World Health Organization, Switzerland
Anna Laura Ross, PhD
World Health Organization, Switzerland
Hands on Session with Global Observatory on Health R&D: Finding Resources and Collaborators
Sarah Charnaud, PhD
World Health Organization, Switzerland
Anna Laura Ross, PhD
World Health Organization, Switzerland
Session 8: HIV Care and Treatment -
Weight Gain After HIV Therapy Initiation: Pathophysiology and Implications
Nomathemba Chandiwana, BSc, MBBCh, MPH, DCH
Ezintsha, University Of The Witwatersrand, South Africa
HIV Drug Resistance and Treatment Sequencing
Nicholas Paton, MD, FRCP
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Mini-Oral Abstract Presentations II -
Sustainable Business Process Model for Achieving Excellence in HIV Service Delivery through Government to Government (G2G) Funding and Direct Capacity Building of Provincial Health Offices in Zambia (#15)
Thomas Mupashi
Zambia
Adverse Events Management in Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision, at What Cost? Developing a Costing Model on the Adverse Events in Zimbabwe’s Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Programme (#16)
Sinokuthemba Xaba
Zimbabwe
Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Impact Analysis of the Implementation of Differentiated Service Delivery Models for HIV Treatment in Mozambique – A Modelling Study (#18)
Dorlim Moiana Uetela
Mozambique
Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Associated With High HIV Acquisition Risk and Low PrEP Uptake Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Kenya (#19)
Mary Marwa
Kenya
Symposium IV | CIDRZ: Africans Leading the HIV Response: Pipe Dream or Reality -
Africans Leading the HIV Response: Pipe Dream or Reality
Izukanji Sikazwe, MBChB, MPH
Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Zambia
Yvette Raphael
Advocates for the Prevention of HIV in Africa, South Africa
Aleny Couto, MD
Ministry of Health, Mozambique
Mini-Oral Abstract Presentations III -
Cofactors of HIVST and PrEP Acceptance Among Pregnant Women at High Risk of HIV in Kenya (#20)
Nancy Ngumbau
Kenya
HIV Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors and HIV Incidence in a Cohort of High-Risk Adults in Maputo, Mozambique (#21)
Isabel Remane Abdul
Mozambique
Low-Level Viremia as a Risk Factor for Virologic Failure in Children and Adolescents Living With HIV (#22)
Obed Paul
Tanzania
Improving Pediatric HIV Case Finding and Preventing New Child Infections: Findings from Infant HIV Exposure Screening in Nigeria (#23)
Oluwakemi Sowale
Nigeria
Early Effect of Transitioning Children to Dolutegravir-Based Regimens on Viral Load Suppression in Malawi (#24)
Lucky Makonokaya
Malawi
Session 9: HIV and Comorbidities I: TB and Hepatitis -
What’s New in the Treatment of Rifampin Resistant TB
Use of TAF in TB and Hepatitis Co-infected Patients: Lessons to Date
Lloyd Mulenga, BScHB, MBChB, MSc, MMed, PhD
Ministry of Health / University Teaching Hospital, Zambia
Session 10: HIV and Comorbidities II: HIV and HPV -
Progress of HPV Vaccination Introduction in Africa
Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, MD, PhD
Makerere University College of Health Sciences / Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda
Rationale of HPV Vaccination in People Living with HIV
Doreen Ramogola-Masire, BMed Sci, BMBS, FCOG, MSc
University of Botswana, Botswana
Integration of HPV Prevention in HIV Care
Lloyd Mulenga, BScHB, MBChB, MSc, MMed, PhD
Ministry of Health / University Teaching Hospital, Zambia
Mini-Oral Abstract Presentations IV -
Sex Workers and the Pap Test: Abnormal Cervical Cytology Patterns in a Cohort of Unvaccinated Sex Workers Attending an HIV-Dedicated Health Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa (#25)
Avania Bangalee
South Africa
Ultrasound Findings in African Kaposi Sarcoma Patients – Are They a Sonographic Confounder for Disseminated TB Diagnosis? (#26)
Ethel Rambiki
Malawi
Association Between High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections and Cervical Cytology Results Among Women Living With HIV in Kenya (#27)
James Kangethe
Kenya
Avaliação Do Tratamento Preventivo Da TB Com 3HP Em Unidades Sanitárias de Grande Volume NA Cidade de Maputo E Distrito de Chokwe, Moçambique (#28)
Savaiva Munguambe
Mozambique
Recent Infection Surveillance Within Routine HIV Testing Services in Tanzania, 2021-2022 (#29)
Jennifer Imaa
Tanzania
Session 11 HIV and Comorbidities III: Aging, NCDs, and Mental Health -
HIV and Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa
Barbara Castelnuovo, MD, PhD
Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University, Uganda
HIV and Mental Health: Innovations from Zimbabwe
Primrose Nyamayaro, BSc (Hons), MRes, PhD
University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Zimbabwe
Special Session II UNITAID - Clinical Trials in Africa: Lessons & Recommendations from the TRIO and D2EFT Trials -
Setting the Stage: The Antiretroviral Treatment Optimisation Portfolio of Grants - Background
Pamela Nawaggi, BPharm, MSc
Unitaid, Switzerland
Why Clinical Trials Matter in LMICs
Loice Achieng Ombajo, MBChB, MMED
University of Nairobi/University of Texas Medical Branch, Kenya/United States
Clinical Trials in the LMIC Context: Set Up, Facilitating, Optimising Resources, Challenges (Including COVID-19) and Opportunities
Nkuli Mashabane, BPharm, MBL
Ezintsha, South Africa
DolPHIN2
Thokozile Malaba, PhD
University of Cape Town, South Africa
NAMSAL ANRS12313
Serra Asangbeh, BSc, MPH
Unitaid, Cameroon
ADVANCE
Bronwyn Bosch, MBChB
Ezintsha, South Africa
D2EFT
Margaret Borok, MBChB, FRCP
University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
TRIO & Impact – Pooled Analysis
Andy Hill, PhD
University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Community Participation – The Role of Communities in Clinical Trials (NAMSAL, DolPHIN2 and D2EFT)
Kenly Sikwese
AfroCAB, Zambia
Treatment Literacy in ADVANCE
Luckyboy Mkhondwane
Independent Consultant, South Africa
Perspectives
Michelle Venter, MBBCh, FCP, MMed
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, South Africa
Next Phase of ART Optimisation
Carmen Perez Casas, MSc, FRCP
Unitaid, Switzerland
Mini-Oral Abstract Presentations V -
Empowered by Faith to Leave No One Behind: Collaborating with Faith- Based Organizations to Deliver HIV Services to Men in Zambia (#30)
James Sikanyika
Zambia
La Peur Persistante de la Stigmatisation : Principal Obstacle à la Décentralisation de la Prise en Charge du VIH Pédiatrique AU Sénégal (#31)
Aminata Niang
Senegal
High Prevalence of Anal Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Living in Bamako, Mali (#32)
Almahdi Ag Alitini
Mali
Challenges With Oral PrEP Uptake, Condom and ART Use Among Female Sex Workers in Three Districts in Malawi - Results From Recent HIV Infection Surveillance Hotspot Investigations (#33)
Alinune Kabaghe
Malawi
Access to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women Living With HIV in Malawi - Analysis of Malawi Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (MPHIA) 2020-21 and MPHIA 2015-16 Surveys (#34)
Laurence Gunde
Malawi
Session 12: Addressing Structural Barriers & Key Populations -
Gender and HIV in Africa
Fatoumata Hane
Universite Assane Seek de Ziguinchor, Senegal
Addressing HIV Stigma Alone Is Not Enough: Institutional and Structural Support for Healthcare Workers
Sanny Mulubale, PhD
University of Zambia, Zambia
Sustaining the Efforts Towards Achieving HIV Epidemic Control Among Key Populations in Africa
Session 13 Health Systems Strengthening -
MATRIX: Building Affordable, Acceptable, and Sustainable HIV Prevention Products for LMICs
Shannon Allen, PhD
USAID, United States
Access to Medicine
Tiwadayo Braimoh, MSc, MBA
Medicines Patent Pool, Switzerland
Mini-Oral Abstract Presentations VI -
Preliminary Results of Safety in Health Care Workers After the BBIBPCorV Vaccine in Mozambique (#35)
Patricia Ramgi
Mozambique
Hybrid Immunity in Mozambican Healthcare Workers Vaccinated With an Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine (#36)
Raquel Matavele Chissumba
Mozambique
Positive and Healthy Living Program for Young People Living With HIV in Nairobi, Kenya: Findings From a Pilot Study (#37)
Otsetswe Musindo
Botswana
Risk Compensation Among Virally Suppressed Persons on Anti- Retroviral Therapy (#38)
Ikenna Nwakamma
Nigeria
Complexities of Managing Survivors of Gender-Based Violence; Experiences From Beitbridge, Zimbabwe (#39)
Mercy Majachani
Zimbabwe
Industry Symposium V | Johnson and Johnson: Sunrise in Long-Acting ART Era – A New Chapter in Our Lives -
Current Status of LA ART – From Evidence to the Guidelines to the Future Development
Ndwapi Ndwapi, MD, BSc
Botswana-University of Maryland School of Medicine Health Initiative (BUMMHI), Botswana
Challenges and Opportunities for Transitioning to the Clinical Use of LA ART
Simiso Sokhela, BSc, MBChB, Dip HIV Man
Ezintsha, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Experience in Implementing LA ART in Adolescent HIV Program – Providers and Youth Perspectives
Natella Rakhmanina, MD, PhD, FAAP, FCP, AAHIVS
Children’s National Hospital, United States
General
What's New

Official Conference Website

Welcome

INTEREST 2023 successfully took place from 9-12 May 2023 as a live meeting in Maputo, Mozambique.

The annual INTEREST Conference is the premier scientific conference for HIV in Africa, and brings together scientists involved in HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention research from around the world. The conference showcases cutting-edge knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and the prevention of HIV-1 acquisition. It continues to foster a community of African physicians and scientists to facilitate the implementation of local solutions for the management of people living with HIV and for the prevention of HIV transmission.

INTEREST is co-organised by Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development (AIGHD) and Virology Education.

Conference Chairs
Local Co-Chairs
General Information 
Past Conferences
2007 – Kampala, Uganda
2008 – Dakar, Senegal
2009 – Lusaka, Zambia
2010 – Maputo, Mozambique
2011 – Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
2012 – Mombasa, Kenya
2013 – Dakar, Senegal
2014 – Lusaka, Zambia
2015 – Harare, Zimbabwe
2016 – Yaounde, Cameroon
2017 – Lilongwe, Malawi
2018 – Kigali, Rwanda
2019 – Accra, Ghana
2020 – Windhoek, Namibia (Virtual Conference)
2021 – Virtual Conference
2022 – Kampala, Uganda
Abstract Submission
The Abstract Submission Portal for INTEREST 2023 is now closed.
Practical Information 
Badges
All participants are requested to wear their badge at all times during the conference to ensure admission to the meeting.
Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be sent to participants that have successfully completed the post-conference survey.
Language
The official language of the conference is English. French and Portuguese translation will be available.
Conference Materials
Conference materials can be obtained upon registration at the registration desk at the Conference Venue.
Disclaimer
This conference is intended for educational purposes only and aims to offer participants the opportunity to share information. The Organizing Secretariat of this event, Virology Education, cannot accept any liability for the scientific content of the sessions or for any claims which may result from the use of information or publications from this meeting. Virology Education disclaims all liability for injuries or losses of whatever nature incurred by individuals attending the conference.
Liability and Insurance
By registering for the conference, participants agree that the organizers do not accept responsibility for medical, travel, or personal insurance.
Participants are advised to take out their own insurance policies.
Photographs, Audio, and Video Recording
Photographs, audio, and video recordings are not permitted at the official meeting sessions. Only the official medical writer appointed by the organization may make recordings. All presentations will be posted here as soon as possible after the workshop is finished, provided the speaker has given permission to do so.
Code of Conduct
All attendees, speakers, co-organizers, partners, endorsers, suppliers, volunteers, and employees at any of our programs are expected to observe our Code of Conduct. We cannot tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, disrespect, or the marginalization of those involved in our programs. All participants of VE and AME-organized programs are expected to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.

Any individual who feels discriminated against, harassed, disrespected, or marginalized is encouraged to report the incident(s) to VE and AME via info@amededu.com or to one of our on-site personnel.
Any participant who is found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be removed from the program.
Support
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Support Our Initiative

Financial backing helps us deliver an impactful meeting experience for the benefit of healthcare professionals and community representatives involved in HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention research.
 
This collaboration plays a vital role in both the organisational as well as scientific success of the programme.
 
To show your commitment to the cause and get in touch with us for a tailored support package, please contact either 

Karin Siebelt at Karin.Siebelt@amededu.com or call +31 30 230 7147, or
Marloes Nijboer at m.nijboer@aighd.org

 
Benefits of Support
By supporting this programme, we can offer the following advantages for your company.* Please contact us for the most recent support level benefits for this programme.

  • Symposium opportunities
  • Non-commercial interviews with company representatives
  • Verbal acknowledgement during the programme
  • Discounted and complimentary registrations for your representatives
  • Company acknowledgement on digital meeting materials including but not limited to newsletters, flyers, the streaming platform, and our website
  • Company acknowledgement on printed meeting materials including but not limited to banners and the programme book
  • Digital and printed advertising opportunities 
  • Social media shout-outs
  • Logo on the conference bag 

 
*Subject to the support level.

Media
INTEREST 2022

AIDSMap reviewed the INTEREST 2022 Conference, highlighting sessions such as those on global health targets, vaginal rings & topical PrEP, HIV treatment in pregnancy, and more.

Read their article here

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