FOUND 25
Misinformation, stigma and discrimination contribute to the promotion of ideas that any type of drug use during pregnancy will result in harm to the foetus. Criminalisation, stigma and discrimination associated with illicit drug use during pregnancy also results in many women keeping their pregnancy concealed and prevents them from accessing a range of services, such as antenatal care, harm reduction services including voluntary drug treatment…
Psychosocial factors were independent atherosclerotic risk factors among Women Living With HIV (WLWH). Research is needed to determine whether interventions for depression and psychosocial stress can mitigate the increased risk of atherosclerosis for WLWH.
This technical guide is intended to support countries in their efforts to increase their capacity to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in prison, and achieve the ultimate goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, “leaving no one behind”.
Despite the importance of women living with HIV (WLHIV) engaging in fertility plan discussions with their healthcare providers (HCPs), little research exists. This study explored perceptions surrounding fertility plan discussions between WLHIV and their HCPs in western Ethiopia, from the perspectives of both women and providers
UNAIDS report on the global AIDS pandemic 2020  shows that women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa continue to be the most affected and accounted for 59% of all new HIV infections in the region in 2019, with 4500 adolescent girls and young women between 15 and 24 years old becoming infected with HIV every week. Young women accounted for 24% of new HIV infections in 2019, despite making up only 10% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa. 
In alignment with the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) goal to reach ‘95-95-95’ targets – that 95 percent of all people living with HIV will know their status, 95 percent of all those with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95 percent of all those receiving ART will have viral suppression by 2020 – a gender analysis is an important planning tool for the development of…
Communities of people living with HIV across the world refused to accept the slow pace of progress against HIV. Local peer support groups grew into national and international activist movements, demanding their right to the highest attainable standard of health, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
In 2016, 89% of pregnant women living with HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa received antiretroviral treatment to prevent vertical transmission of HIV. Despite this scale-up, in the same region, an estimated 77,000 children (0-14 years) acquired HIV in 2016. AIDS-related illness remains the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age (15-49 years) globally. With countries now providing lifelong treatment to pregnant women living with…
In collaboration with UN Women, the ATHENA Network, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) and Salamander Trust have undertaken a multistage review of the global status of women’s access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This global review takes place during a turning point in the HIV epidemic where increasing focus is placed on strategic investments in health. This review is informed by a gender-responsive and human rights-based framework…
This qualitative study examines women's experiences with antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and retention in Option B+ care among 39 pregnant and lactating women in Bwaila Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. Study participants included 14 in care and 25 out of care women, according to facility records. One of the most important factors influencing adherence and retention was the strength of women’s support systems. In contrast to women in-care, most…
Malawi has undertaken a "test-and-treat" approach to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, known as Option B+. This approach offers all pregnant and breastfeeding women with HIV lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) regardless of CD4 count or clinical stage. A cross-sectional, qualitative study explored experiences surrounding Option B+ for patients and health care workers in Malawi. Results found that patients and health care…
This doctoral research project explores the experiences of women growing older with HIV in London, United Kingdom. It has a specific focus on women and the gendered experiences of ageing with HIV, in terms of community, social support, and health care needs. The research uses a feminist methodology along with participatory and narrative methods. 
This report shares the findings from a multi-stage review of the access women have to anti-retroviral therapy (ART). This review is critical in understanding key barriers women face when accessing HIV treatment and ways to address them in order for women to receive the care they need.
This resource explains how gender-based disparities in HIV prevention and care should be addressed by gender-responsive policies and programs. It uses a socio-ecological approach to understand existing gender differences in HIV risk and how to create effective health care measures to prevent women from infection.
At the pivotal International AIDS Society Conference in Vancouver, Canada from 19-22 July, the focus was on HIV care and treatment as new data highlights the effectiveness of earlier treatment initiation. Commissioned by UN Women, AVAC, ATHENA network and Salamander Trust presented initial findings from a new global review of the status of access to care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) for women living with HIV. Unique in its methodology, the…
 Throughout the world, people who inject drugs experience stigmatization, vulnerability, marginalization and higher risk of acquiring HIV. The situation is even worse for women who inject drugs as detailed in this Policy Brief. In addition to highlighting the importance for services specifically responding to the needs of women who inject drugs, the companion Practical Guide for service providers describes steps to initiate and monitor…
This article examines the role that gender inequality plays in limiting vertical HIV transmission (PMTCT) programmatic progress. The authors highlight a growing body of evidence that suggests that gender inequality, including gender-based violence, is a key obstacle to better outcomes related to all four components of a comprehensive PMTCT programme. Effective community- and facility-based strategies to transform harmful gender norms and…
This report provides general recommendations to health workers and activists on how to create a fostering environment of women and girls living with HIV; how to strengthen the health system by making more comprehensive sexuality programs available; how to ensure meaningful participation of women and girls living with HIV in policy; and how to strengthen multi-sectoral activities that support women and girls’ autonomy.
This article examines the association between the number of sexual partners and the risk of HIV seropositivity among men and women presenting for HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) in northern Tanzania. Among women presenting for VCT, the number of partners is strongly associated with rates of seropositivity; however, even women reporting lifetime monogamy have a high risk for HIV infection. Partner reduction should be coupled with…
In this report, research was conducted in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Ukraine with policy influencers, women and girls living with HIV, and male partners of women living with HIV to explore issues of sexual and reproductive health needs of individuals, family planning, maternal care, and more. Findings revealed that many challenges women and girls living with HIV are due to stigma and discrimination, limited access to information, and poor family and…