From Approval to Access: Helping Communities Rise Through Long-Acting HIV Prevention Advocacy
1
Key Populations: Health Systems Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A610
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The regulatory approval of Lenacapavir (LEN) in October 2025 in South Africa presents an opportunity to expand HIV prevention through long-acting modalities¹,². However, limited community awareness and weak advocacy structures can delay effective rollout and uptake³. To ensure successful rollout of LEN, advocacy and community engagement are critical for informed choice, adherence, and demand generation³,⁴. The Aurum Institute together with the Africa REACH Foundation conducted community information sessions to educate and sensitise community members about LEN.
METHODS:
During the period of October to November 2025, nine pre- and post-test knowledge community sessions were held with 135 community members across eThekwini, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. These sessions included structured training on HIV prevention and treatment, including information on long-acting HIV prevention options such as LEN, which has demonstrated high efficacy and durability in Phase 3 trials.¹,² The intentions of the sessions were to educate communities on various choices in prevention and treatment and establish effective advocacy strategies to increase demand for these options.³,⁴
RESULTS:
Across the training sessions conducted, the mean participant performance improved from a pre-test average of 74.86% to a post-test average of 83.37%, representing an overall mean increase of 8.51 points. Improvements were observed at all locations. The biggest improvements were recorded in Ekurhuleni, (70.67 to 92.00), followed by Mbombela, (70.00 to 84.29). Moderate improvements were observed in Amsterdam (+5.65), Tshwane (+5.00), and Nkomazi (+4.66). Overall, the findings indicate consistent improvements in post-test scores across all sites, consistent with evidence that community-based education supports uptake and acceptability of long-acting HIV prevention technologies.³,⁴
CONCLUSIONS:
To ensure sustainability beyond the project timeline, long-term partnerships were established with civil society members and community-based initiatives. These partnerships will help maintain momentum in the roll-out of LEN, build community-led advocacy interventions, and establish a lasting framework of knowledge for equitable access to LEN.
The regulatory approval of Lenacapavir (LEN) in October 2025 in South Africa presents an opportunity to expand HIV prevention through long-acting modalities¹,². However, limited community awareness and weak advocacy structures can delay effective rollout and uptake³. To ensure successful rollout of LEN, advocacy and community engagement are critical for informed choice, adherence, and demand generation³,⁴. The Aurum Institute together with the Africa REACH Foundation conducted community information sessions to educate and sensitise community members about LEN.
METHODS:
During the period of October to November 2025, nine pre- and post-test knowledge community sessions were held with 135 community members across eThekwini, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. These sessions included structured training on HIV prevention and treatment, including information on long-acting HIV prevention options such as LEN, which has demonstrated high efficacy and durability in Phase 3 trials.¹,² The intentions of the sessions were to educate communities on various choices in prevention and treatment and establish effective advocacy strategies to increase demand for these options.³,⁴
RESULTS:
Across the training sessions conducted, the mean participant performance improved from a pre-test average of 74.86% to a post-test average of 83.37%, representing an overall mean increase of 8.51 points. Improvements were observed at all locations. The biggest improvements were recorded in Ekurhuleni, (70.67 to 92.00), followed by Mbombela, (70.00 to 84.29). Moderate improvements were observed in Amsterdam (+5.65), Tshwane (+5.00), and Nkomazi (+4.66). Overall, the findings indicate consistent improvements in post-test scores across all sites, consistent with evidence that community-based education supports uptake and acceptability of long-acting HIV prevention technologies.³,⁴
CONCLUSIONS:
To ensure sustainability beyond the project timeline, long-term partnerships were established with civil society members and community-based initiatives. These partnerships will help maintain momentum in the roll-out of LEN, build community-led advocacy interventions, and establish a lasting framework of knowledge for equitable access to LEN.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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