HIV/AIDS Research

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Surveillance and Research Unit

The HIV Surveillance and Research unit conducts regular sentinel surveys among pregnant women and initiates research to give a better understanding of the status and progression of the nation’s HIV epidemic. HIV sentinel surveillance is unlinked and anonymous and no personal identifiers are used. HIV surveillance is conducted every two years, e.g., 2007, 2009, 2011, while additional research is conducted in between.

What is HIV/AIDS Sentinel Surveillance?

HIV surveillance is a critical tool for providing information on the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. HIV/AIDS surveillance has been conducted in Botswana annually since 1992. Specifically, surveillance helps to determine the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in different geographic locations of Botswana and estimate the current number of infected persons in the general population. In addition, surveillance information may be used to describe cultural behaviours and other factors that may be fuelling the epidemic. The 2009 HIV Sentinel Surveillance has just been completed with data analysis currently ongoing, hence results will be published in 2010.

Some Achievements of the HIV Surveillance and Research Unit

The Surveillance and Research Unit conducted the following study titled “Qualitative Behavioral Study of HIV prevalence patterns among youth in Botswana” in collaboration with our partners, BOTUSA/PEPFAR, the University of California San Francisco, and the University of Botswana. The study was conducted in three locations, Maun, Selebi-Phikwe and Tsabong. Preliminary findings were presented during the Health Sector HIV Prevention Technical Advisory committee meeting (chaired by Director-DHAPC) in March 2009. A PDF copy of the final draft report is available here.

The surveillance and research unit, in collaboration with BOTUSA/PEPFAR, was also involved in the pilot study titled “Utilization of PMTCT Program Data for HIV Surveillance in Botswana–Preliminary Results.” The Director-DHAPC presented the findings of this study at the Global HIV surveillance meeting held in Thailand in March 2009. Preliminary findings of this study may be obtained at: http://www.hivsurveillance2009.org/pages/presentations_day2.html.

SessionVIIB

In 2008, the HIV Surveillance and Research Unit coordinated the submission of abstracts for the 2008 International AIDS Conference (http://www.aids2008.org), held from 3-8 August 2008 in Mexico City. The theme of the conference was “Universal Action Now.” A record number of 17 abstracts were submitted from the department and can be accessed from the links below:

  1. Mother-to-child HIV transmission rate in Botswana - analysis of dried blood spot (DBS) results from the national PMTCT programme (Oral Presentation) - PMTCT unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=7967
  2. Six Years of HAART in the Public Sector of Botswana (ORAL Presentation) - ARV Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=223&AID=10814
  3. Fifteen Years of HIV Prevalence from Sentinel Surveillance surveys among pregnant women in Botswana - (Poster exhibit) - HIV Surveillance and Research Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=07841
  4. Strengthening HIV prevention by adding acyclovir roll-out strategy through the STI (sexually transmitted infection) control programme in Botswana - (Poster exhibit) - STI Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=08054
  5. Estimating the Impact of ART protocol revisions on programme costs in Botswana (Poster discussion) - ARV unit (Clinton foundation)
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=335&AID=8184
  6. Reduction of HIV and AIDS related stigma and stigmatization in Botswana – (Poster exhibit) - CHBC Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=12580
  7. Investing in the workforce: A focus on health care workers in Botswana - (Poster exhibit) - Workplace Wellness Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=12297
  8. Community Involvement in the safe use of Infant formula: The Botswana PMTCT Programme experience - (Poster Exhibit) - PMTCT unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=08601
  9. Capacity Development to Support Health Worker Wellness in Botswana - (CD-Rom publication) Workplace Wellness Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=08148
  10. Decentralized PMTCT Training Model: The Botswana Experience - (CD-Rom publication) - PMTCT Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=08654
  11. Community Home Based Care (CHBC) Program in Botswana: Adoption of Palliative Care Strategy – (Poster exhibit) - CHBC Unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=258&AID=08450
  12. Evaluation of the Outsourcing of ART services to the private sector in Botswana - (Poster exhibit) – ARV unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=223&AID=10955
  13. Extending Implementation of HAART Services to the local Clinics in Botswana – (Poster exhibit) – ARV unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=223&AID=11296
  14. Task shifting in Botswana: Empowering of Nurses in ART roll-out - (Poster exhibit) - ARV unit
    http://www.aids2008.org/Pag/Abstracts.aspx?SID=223&AID=10264
  15. Pregnancies Among HIV Positive women in Botswana - (Poster exhibit) - HIV Surveillance and Research Unit
  16. Emerging HAART Communication challenges in Botswana - (Poster Exhibit) - ARV Unit (IEC/BCIC)
  17. Linking Treatment and Prevention in Botswana - (CD-Rom publication) - ARV Unit (IEC/BCIC)

You can find here the PDF posters for abstracts 3, 4, 6, 11 and 15.