August 9, 2024
Researchers present the latest science at the International Workshop on Pediatric HIV and AIDS 2024 in Germany
Global WACh researchers attended the 25th International AIDS Society Conference (AIDS 2024) held from July 22-26 in Munich, Germany. This year’s theme was “Put people first” — a call on the global HIV response to unite behind this simple principle and think of solutions from the point of view of those most affected. Researchers also attended the 16th International Workshop on HIV Pediatrics, a pre-conference event focused on the prevention and treatment of paediatric HIV infection with the overall objective to stimulate research that will advance prevention and treatment strategies for infants, children, and adolescents.
15 poster abstracts and one oral presentation from collaborative University of Washington and University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital studies featured the latest evidence related to health outcomes among children with different exposures to HIV, influential factors to early child neurodevelopment outcomes, key considerations for mobile reproductive health services for women living with HIV, implementation strategies for PrEP, and more. In addition to presenting research findings, some members received acclaimed awards at the conferences.
Smiling researchers! From left to right: Dr. Tabitha Kareithi, Sarah Hicks, Dr. Michelle Bulterys, Dr. Irene Njuguna, and Dr. Kenneth Ngure
Drs. Irene Njuguna, Michelle Bulterys, and Cyrus Mugo posing with posters.
Dr. Irene Njuguna on stage with members of the IAS Organizing Committee.
On behalf of her team, Dr. Irene Njuguna accepted the Best Poster Award for the abstract, “Similar One Year Mortality Among HIV Exposed Uninfected and HIV Unexposed Children in Kenya,” first-authored by Dr. Jillian Neary, featured at the HIV Pediatrics Workshop. Cyrus Mugo, Senior Research Scientist from Kenyatta National Hospital, is a recipient of the International Paediatric HIV Symposium for Africa (IPHASA) Peer Learning Visit Grant. The grant funds a learning visit of one African country team of three of five individuals to another country that has successfully implemented a strategy and/or program of interest, in hopes that the experience addresses an identified gap in the team’s application of pediatric HIV prevent, care, and treatment. We look forward to learning about the impact of this promising grant.
See a list of accepted abstracts for both scientific gatherings below.
Accepted abstracts at AIDS 2024 (View the full Abstract and E-Poster Programme here)
| Title | Authors | Presenter |
| Key considerations for mobile messages to support reproductive life planning among women living with HIV in Kenya | C. Atieno, N. Zanial, B. Wandika, P. Jaman, J. Dettinger, A. Karingo, J. Kinuthia, J. Unger, A. Drake, K. Beima Sofie | Celestine Atieno |
| Father engagement and caregiver relationship dynamics impact early child neurodevelopment | M.A. Bulterys, M. King’e, I. Njuguna, D. Chebet, A. Onyango, A. Wagner, K.M. Powis, A.R. Cassidy, S. Benki-Nugent, D. Wamalwa, G. John-Stewart | Michelle Bulterys |
| High adherence to oral PrEP in a large PrEP implementation project in Kenya | L. Wu, E. Irungu, N. Mugo, E. Bukusi, J. Odoyo, S. Peacock, J. Morton, K. Ngure, I. Mukui, P. Anderson, J. Baeten, K. Mugwanya, Partners Scale-Up Project Team | Linxuan Wu |
Accepted abstracts at the International Workshop on HIV & Pediatrics (View the full E-Poster Abstract Book here)
| Title | Authors | Presenter |
| “Make It Convenient for Us”: Design and Delivery Preferences for a Targeted Long-Acting Drug-Combination Injectable Treatment for Children and Youth With HIV in Kenya | Beima-Sofie K, Beers F, Moraa H, Njuguna I, Melvin A, Ho R | Kristin Beima-Sofie |
| “I Had Not Fully Understood How It Works:” Key Influences on Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s Decisions to Decline or Delay Daily Oral PrEP Initiation in Western Kenya | Beima-Sofie K, Urusaro S, Auwor M, Atieno W, Dollah A, Matemo D, Lee A, Kemunto V, Wandera C, Kinuthia J, Morton J, Mugwanya K | Kristin Beima-Sofie |
| Father Engagement and Caregiver Relationship Dynamics Impact Early Child Neurodevelopment | Bulterys M, King’e M, Njuguna I, Chebet D, Onyango A, Wagner A, Powis K, Cassidy A, Benki-Nugent S, Wamalwa D, John-Stewart G | Michelle Bulterys |
| Tailored Multilevel Strategies Needed to Improve Retention Among Youth Living With HIV in Western Kenya | Hicks S, Jiang W, Kibugi J, Badia J, Richardson B, Beima-Sofie K, Agot K, Kohler P, John-Stewart G | Sarah Hicks |
| ART Timing and Social Factors Associated With Poorer Behavioral Outcomes Among Children Who Are HIV Exposed Uninfected | King’e M, Njuguna I, Moraa H, Onyango A, Kumar M, John-Stewart G, Wamalwa D | Maureen King’e |
| High STI Incidence Among Women Who Initiated PrEP During Pregnancy in Kenya | Mogaka J, Abuna F, Akim E, Dettinger J, John-Stewart G, Kinuthia J, Gómez L, Marwa M, Morroni C, Mussa A, Ngumbau N, Odhiambo B, Adogo C, Owiti P, Watoyi S, Pintye J | Joyce Mogaka |
| Securing progress and extending impact: Implementation science and the HIV response (Oral Presentation) |
Cyrus Mugo | |
| Lower Working Memory and Processing Speed Scores Among Children and Youth With HIV Exposure Compared to Unexposed Children and Youth | Okhagbuzo M, Njuguna I, King’e M, Moraa H, Aziga M, Tala B, McHenry M, Wamalwa D, John-Stewart G, Benki-Nugent S | Irene Njuguna |
| Lower Height-For-Age and Weight-For-Age Z Scores Among HIV Exposed Children Aged 3-10 Years | Agiza M, King’e M, Onyango A, Oricho R, Moraa H, Neary J, John-Stewart G, Wamalwa D, McGrath C, Njuguna I | Irene Njuguna |
| Similar One Year Mortality Among HIV Exposed Uninfected and HIV Unexposed Children in Kenya | Njuguna I, Neary J, King’e M, Begnel E, Oricho R, Moraa H, Onyango A, Wamalwa D, John-Stewart G | Irene Njuguna |
| “You Are the Tutor, You Are the Counselor, You Are the School Nurse, You Are Everything”: Secondary School Teacher Experience Managing HIV and Chronic Illness in Schools | Njuguna I, Moraa H, Mbwayo A, Nyapara F, Aballa C, Mugo C, John-Stewart G, Inwani I, Wamalwa D, O’Malley G | Irene Njuguna |
| Prevalence and Correlates of a Positive Autism Spectrum Disorder Screen Among HIV Exposed Uninfected Children | Njuguna I, King’e M, Kumar M, Benki-Nugent S, Deshmukh V, Arora N, Onyango A, Agiza M, John-Stewart G, Wamalwa D | Irene Njuguna |
| A Stakeholder-Selected Implementation Strategy Bundle Improves PrEP Implementation for Women Seeking Maternal and Child Health Services in Western Kenya | Sila J, Abuna F, Dettinger J, Odhiambo B, Ngumbau N1, Oketch G1, Sifuna E, Gomez L, Hicks S, Li A, Watoyi S, Otieno F, Weiner B, John-Stewart G, Kinuthia J, Wagner A | Joseph Sila |