High-resolution spatio-temporal risk mapping for malaria in Namibia: a comprehensive analysis.

Background: Namibia, a low malaria transmission country targeting elimination, has made substantial progress in reducing malaria burden through improved case management, widespread indoor residual spraying and distribution of insecticidal nets. The country's diverse landscape includes regions with varying population densities and geographical niches, with the north of the country prone to periodic outbreaks. As Namibia approaches elimination, malaria transmission has clustered into distinct foci, the identification of which is essential for deployment of targeted interventions to attain the southern Africa Elimination Eight Initiative targets by 2030.

Stakeholder perspectives on interventions to improve HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and continuation in Lesotho: A participant-ranked preferences study.

Low uptake and high discontinuation remain major obstacles to realizing the potential of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in changing the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. We conducted a card sorting and ranking exercise with 155 local stakeholders to determine their views on the most important barriers and most promising interventions to achieving high PrEP coverage. Stakeholders were a purposive sample of PrEP policymakers and implementing partners (n = 7), healthcare providers (n = 51), and end-users (n = 97).

Motivations for pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake and decline in an HIV-hyperendemic setting: findings from a qualitative implementation study in Lesotho.

Background: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated clinical efficacy in preventing HIV infection, yet its uptake remains low. This study, conducted in five PrEP implementing districts in Lesotho, examined factors motivating persons at risk of HIV infection to adopt or reject PrEP when offered freely.

Methods: In-depth interviews were undertaken with stakeholders directly engaged with PrEP policy (n = 5), program implementation (n = 4), and use (current PrEP users = 55, former PrEP users = 36, and PrEP decliners (n = 6)).

Knowledge and attitudes about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: Evidence from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with policy makers, healthcare providers, and end-users in Lesotho.

Studies on knowledge and attitudes about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have mostly focused on key populations in North America and Europe. To inform Lesotho's national rollout of PrEP to the general population, this study aimed to characterize knowledge and attitudes about PrEP among policy makers, implementing partners, healthcare providers, and PrEP end-users in Lesotho. Respondents were purposively selected to participate based on personal experience in the development and implementation of Lesotho's PrEP program, or the personal use of PrEP.

Beyond the facility: An evaluation of seven community-based pediatric HIV testing strategies and linkage to care outcomes in a high prevalence, resource-limited setting.

Diverse challenges in expanding pediatric HIV testing and treatment coverage persist, making the investigation and adoption of innovative strategies urgent. Evidence is mounting for the effectiveness of community-based testing in bringing such lifesaving services to those in need, particularly in resource-limited settings. The Mobilizing HIV Identification and Treatment project piloted seven community-based testing strategies to assess their effectiveness in reaching HIV-positive children and linking them to care in two districts of Lesotho from October 2015 to March 2018.