Accelerating HIV epidemic control by optimizing the use of anti-retroviral therapy for HIV treatment and prevention

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV is the cornerstone of both treatment and prevention strategies by significantly reducing morbidity, mortality, and HIV transmission. Optimizing ART usage is critical to accelerate HIV epidemic control, in both high and low-prevalence settings.
In my thesis, I uncover opportunities that can enhance effective ART utilization. These include, efficient monitoring of failed virological suppression during ART use; prompt switching of ART regimens to address virological failures; promoting advancement in patient care services for enhancing ART utilization and effectiveness; extending PrEP to reach all those that meet its eligibility irrespective of the low population HIV prevalences around them; and to prove that risk behaviors that require PrEP wax and wane therefore PrEP use is expected to be intermittent – based on current existence of risk factors
In summary, while ART has proved very effective for HIV treatment and prevention, it is not optimally utilized. My thesis reveals pathways for accelerating HIV control, with a focus on ensuring sustained viral suppression and reducing new HIV infections especially in non-key populations. Accelerating ART optimization is yet to happen and has the potential to advance global gains towards HIV epidemic control.