Malawi’s 95–95–95 progress at risk: Identifying who falls behind as HIV funding shrinks
1
Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
2
HIV, STIs & Viral Hepatitis, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
3
Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A582
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Malawi’s 95–95–95 progress at risk: Identifying who falls behind as HIV funding shrinks
BACKGROUND:
The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a major global health challenge. Malawi accounts for roughly 2.5% of global cases. The UNAIDS Fast-Track strategy, launched in 2014, set 95–95–95 targets to be achieved by 2025, which Malawi adopted in 2020. This study evaluates Malawi’s progress toward the 95–95–95 targets and identifies populations at risk of being left behind in a resource-constrained context.
METHODS:
This quantitative descriptive study analysed secondary data from Malawi’s national HIV program and HIV Spectrum estimates from 2012–2023, including audited facility reports on HIV status awareness, ART uptake, and viral suppression. Data were disaggregated by age, gender, and sex. Data cleaning and analysis were conducted using Excel, SPSS, and Stata 15.1. Proportion tests assessed differences in HIV indicators by age and gender for 2023, while Mann–Whitney and independent t-tests evaluated median and mean differences, respectively, with statistical significance set at 5%.
RESULTS:
Between 2012 and 2023, Malawi’s estimated PLHIV rose from 962,043 to 991,600. HIV status awareness increased from 73% (95% CI: 72–74%) to 95% (94–96%), ART coverage from 58% (57–59%) to 95% (94–96%), and viral suppression from 90% (89–91%) to 95% (94–96%). Children lagged adults in all indicators: awareness rose from 24% (23–25%) to 87% (85–89%) versus 79% (78–80%) to 96% (95–97%) in adults; ART initiation remained lower among children (84%, 82–86% vs. 95%, 94–96%). Men also trailed women across the cascade.
CONCLUSIONS:
Between 2012 and 2023, Malawi made substantial progress toward the 95–95–95 targets. However, children and men continue to lag, highlighting persistent inequities. In the context of declining HIV funding, sustaining gains will require targeted, efficient, and data-driven interventions that prioritise these vulnerable groups to prevent setbacks and ensure equitable access to lifesaving HIV services.
Malawi’s 95–95–95 progress at risk: Identifying who falls behind as HIV funding shrinks
BACKGROUND:
The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a major global health challenge. Malawi accounts for roughly 2.5% of global cases. The UNAIDS Fast-Track strategy, launched in 2014, set 95–95–95 targets to be achieved by 2025, which Malawi adopted in 2020. This study evaluates Malawi’s progress toward the 95–95–95 targets and identifies populations at risk of being left behind in a resource-constrained context.
METHODS:
This quantitative descriptive study analysed secondary data from Malawi’s national HIV program and HIV Spectrum estimates from 2012–2023, including audited facility reports on HIV status awareness, ART uptake, and viral suppression. Data were disaggregated by age, gender, and sex. Data cleaning and analysis were conducted using Excel, SPSS, and Stata 15.1. Proportion tests assessed differences in HIV indicators by age and gender for 2023, while Mann–Whitney and independent t-tests evaluated median and mean differences, respectively, with statistical significance set at 5%.
RESULTS:
Between 2012 and 2023, Malawi’s estimated PLHIV rose from 962,043 to 991,600. HIV status awareness increased from 73% (95% CI: 72–74%) to 95% (94–96%), ART coverage from 58% (57–59%) to 95% (94–96%), and viral suppression from 90% (89–91%) to 95% (94–96%). Children lagged adults in all indicators: awareness rose from 24% (23–25%) to 87% (85–89%) versus 79% (78–80%) to 96% (95–97%) in adults; ART initiation remained lower among children (84%, 82–86% vs. 95%, 94–96%). Men also trailed women across the cascade.
CONCLUSIONS:
Between 2012 and 2023, Malawi made substantial progress toward the 95–95–95 targets. However, children and men continue to lag, highlighting persistent inequities. In the context of declining HIV funding, sustaining gains will require targeted, efficient, and data-driven interventions that prioritise these vulnerable groups to prevent setbacks and ensure equitable access to lifesaving HIV services.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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