2019 International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA)
The International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) is a major global health conference convening over 10,000 delegates, including policy makers, scientists and global health partners, from nearly 150 countries. Together, these delegates chart progress in this field and create a more effective path forward. The 2019 ICASA will be held December 2-7, 2019 in Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) will present achievements in our work and learn from others at the event, to further progress our mission of an AIDS-free generation.
Click here for more information on EGPAF’s presence at ICASA 2019.
Satellites and Workshops
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Multi-disease Integrated Testing, Treatment and Care Innovation – Women-Centered Diagnostic Testing Approaches | Dec 2, 2019<br />
Date: Monday, 2 December, 2019 | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Location: Jeanne Gapiya (MH 4)
Hosts: Unitaid, ASLM, CHAI, UNICEF, EGPAF
About: There has been compelling evidence on the effectiveness and impact of point-of-care (POC) technologies to increase access to diagnostic services, and enable treatment initiation for HIV, TB, HCV and HPV. To increase access to testing for multiple diseases and improve program efficiencies, several countries have started to optimize their diagnostic networks across laboratory-based and POC solutions to be utilized for several diseases and assays on the same platform. Further, interest in POC HIV viral load testing may provide significant benefits to priority populations such as children, adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. The technological and programmatic solutions today allow for designing truly women-centered approaches to diagnostics. This session will focus on sharing lessons learned from programmatic experiences to inform the effective and efficient implementation of current innovations in diagnostics and linkage to treatment and care for women.
Start Free, Stay Free, AIDS Free: Meeting the 2020 HIV Targets for Children, Adolescents and Young Women: Remaining Roadblocks and Potential Game-changers | Dec 2, 2019
Date: Monday, December 2, 9:30 AM -16:00 PM
Location: The Lemigo Hotel
About: This session will present an update on findings from the Start Free Stay Free AIDS Free report and an overview of main barriers and game changers identified in different regions and countries. This special session is intended to identify priority actions that have shown results and that need to be scaled up, and to galvanise the engagement and commitment of key stakeholders to reach the 2020 targets. Chip Lyons, EGPAF President and CEO, Jennifer Cohn, EGPAF-Geneva, Epane Eboa Marcel William, CAYA member of EGPAF-Cameroon will speak.
May The Force Be With You: Empowering Stakeholders with Evidence to Strengthen the HIV Response | Dec 2, 2019<br />
Date: Monday, 2 December, 2019 | 13:00 PM to 15:00 PM
Location: Jeanne Gapiya (MH 4)
About: This satellite will illustrate Project SOAR research and accomplishments and present various models to improve the continuum of HIV care, utilize community platforms to enhance use of HIV services, and address structural drivers of HIV prevention and treatment behaviors. Philisiwe Khumalo, EGPAF-Eswatini, will present on EGPAF’s Project SOAR implementation experience.
The Good, The Better, and The Unexpected: Learning From Accelerating Children's HIV Treatment (ACT) Adolescent Project's HIV Research in Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania | Dec 3, 2019<br />
Date: Tuesday, 3 December, 2019 | 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
Location: Session Room MH1
Host: EGPAF
About: This satellite will provide an opportunity to share real-world, qualitative, quantitative and economic information from three studies completed under the CIFF-supported ACT Adolescent Project implemented by EGPAF. EGPAF experts will discuss feasibility of differentiated service delivery models, cost effectiveness of a treatment retention strategy, HIV service utilization across adolescent-friendly models, and the strength of youth empowerment.
Schedule: Click here for more information about this satellite.
Advanced HIV Disease Workshop | Dec 3, 2019<br />
Date: Tuesday, 3 December, 2019 | 11:30 AM to 13:30 PM
Location: The Lemigo hotel, KG 624 St, Kigali, Rwanda
Host: MSF
About: Though progress has been made in this field over the last few decades, AIDS-related deaths have plateaued in recent years. Those facing the greatest risk of death are the individuals living with advanced HIV disease. This session will focus on implementation of WHO guidelines, service packages, and commodities to prevent and manage advanced HIV disease. Jennifer Cohn, EGPAF-Geneva, will present.
Optimizing the Selection of Diagnostic Tools to Address Challenges with Epidemic Control in Key Populations | Dec 4, 2019<br />
Date: Tuesday, 4 December, 2019 | 16:45 PM to 18:15 PM
Location: Session Room Cheick sidy Modibo Kane (MH 1)
Host: Abbott
About: The aim of this session is to shed light on the right diagnostics for the right settings to increase case finding, improve patient retention and ultimately support the goal of HIV epidemic control. Jennifer Cohn, EGPAF-Geneva, will present on operationalizing m-PIMA for early infant HIV diagnosis.
Oral Abstract Presentations
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Prevalence of Advanced HIV Disease at Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation for Children and Adolescents Age 5-14 Years in Tanzania, 2015-2018 | Dec 6, 2019<br />
Date: Friday, 6 December, 2019 | 12:45 PM to 14:15 PM
Location: Session Room Prudence Mabele (MH 2+ Corridor)
About: This oral abstract will be presented by Theopista Masenge, EGPAF-Tanzania, at the Antiretroviral Therapy Abstract Session
Poster Presentations
Click for each date’s list of poster presentations
Tuesday, 3 December 2019<br />
Characteristics of HIV-infected children dying before ART initiation in Eswatini
Presenter: Thembie Masuku, EGPAF-Eswatini
Routine point-of-care HIV testing at birth: results from a pilot in Eswatini
Presenter: Philisiwe Khumalo, EGPAF-Eswatini
Wednesday, 4 December, 2019<br />
Improving viral load monitoring among pediatric and adolescent clients in selected facilities, Hhohho and Shiselweni regions: Eswatini
Presenter: Gezani Mamba, EGPAF-Eswatini
Characterization of viral load testing according to national guidelines in selected health facilities in Malawi
Presenter: Joram Sunguti, EGPAF-Malawi
Determinants of viral suppression among children, adolescents and adults accessing HIV care in selected health facilities in Southern Malawi
Presenter: Thulani Maphosa, EGPAF-Malawi
Improving patient satisfaction in PMTCT services through the Community Score Card approach in Malawi
Presenter: Thulani Maphosa, EGPAF-Malawi
Engaging community health workers to improve linkage and retention in care among pregnant women in Tabora, Tanzania
Presenter: Ola Jahanpour, EGPAF-Tanzania
Thursday, 5 December, 2019<br />
Association of ART regimen with viral suppression in HIV-positive children in Eswatini: Baseline data from the FAM-CARE study
Presenter: Philisiwe Khumalo, EGPAF-Eswatini
Routine point-of-care HIV testing at birth: results from a pilot in Eswatini
Presenter: Philisiwe Khumalo, EGPAF-Eswatini
Improving retention in care of pregnant and lactating women enrolled in lifelong ART in the Hhohho and Shiselweni regions: Eswatini
Presenter: Gezani Mamba, EGPAF-Eswatini
Improving cervical cancer screening through visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) among HIV-positive women in a selected health facility in Eswatini
Presenter: Gezani Mamba, EGPAF-Eswatini
Sex-specific outcomes among clients offered voluntary assisted partner notification (VAPN) in EGPAF-supported districts within the southern region of Malawi
Presenter: Joram Sunguti, EGPAF-Malawi
Friday, 6 December, 2019<br />
Non-communicable diseases and HIV: costs, effects, and efficiency of integrated screening and testing services for men in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Presenter: Rantimi Adetunji, EGPAF-Global
Improving testing of contacts for HIV-infected clients through use of community lay cadres in Eswatini
Presenter: Gezani Mamba, EGPAF-Eswatini
“There are no secrets any more”: experiences of caregivers and health care workers using the family-centered care model in Eswatini
Presenter: Philisiwe Khumalo, EGPAF-Eswatini
Assessing differences in early infant diagnosis testing uptake, positivity rates, and treatment initiation rates between various health facility entry points
Presenter: Jennifer Cohn, EGPAF-Geneva
Challenges and opportunities in introducing point-of-care early infant diagnosis in eight African countries: Outcomes from pre- and post-intervention interviews with health care workers and laboratory managers
Presenter: Rebecca Bailey, EGPAF-Geneva
