New Couples-Based HIV Intervention Launched in Malawi to Enhance Health Outcomes
A new couples-based intervention in Malawi, developed by UNC Gillings researchers, aims to enhance HIV treatment adherence among pregnant women and their male partners. The program, named Timasamalirana, emphasizes joint counseling sessions. Early results show promising improvements in health outcomes, calling attention to the need for this approach in broader HIV care strategies in sub-Saharan Africa.
A new couples-focused intervention launched in Malawi aims to enhance HIV health outcomes, specifically targeting pregnant women and their male partners living with HIV. While access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reached near universality in sub-Saharan Africa, many are still falling short of critical benchmarks for testing, treatment adherence, and viral suppression. This new program, crafted by Dr. Nora Rosenberg and her team at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, emphasizes the importance of joint HIV counseling for couples.
Known as Timasamalirana, the program involves both partners receiving counseling simultaneously, enabling them to share their HIV status and discuss family implications. The intervention particularly focuses on a pregnant woman with HIV and her husband, fostering a supportive environment for effective HIV prevention and treatment strategies. Early findings are promising, indicating that such paired approaches lead to improvements in HIV outcomes, including enhanced diagnosis rates for male partners and increased viral suppression.
Dr. Rosenberg underscores the significance of this approach: “A couple learning their HIV status together is more valuable than each individual learning their HIV status separately.” The program has notably boosted adherence to HIV medication among participants, thereby diminishing viral loads. This reduction has multiple benefits: it promotes the health of the individual living with HIV, decreases the risk of mother-to-child transmission, and protects sexual partners.
Moreover, the impact of this couples-based intervention extends to 1.2 million women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who become pregnant annually. In late 2024, Dr. Rosenberg presented these findings during World Health Organization meetings aimed at empowering various stakeholders, encouraging them to implement similar strategies. The broader ambition is to assist African Ministries of Health and NGOs in applying this couples-based model widely in their programs.
With this innovative approach, Rosenberg and her colleagues see the potential for significant shifts in how HIV health services are delivered. The development of a toolkit for stakeholders highlights a commitment to guiding the integration of these methods into existing health systems. The study was financially supported by the National Institutes of Health, laying the groundwork for ongoing HIV health improvements in the region.
In summary, the Timasamalirana intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of couples-based HIV counseling, significantly enhancing treatment adherence and health outcomes for both partners. The potential to support large numbers of women and men living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa marks a crucial step forward in public health strategy. As these findings garner wider recognition and application, they pave the way for healthier families and communities.
Original Source: sph.unc.edu
