CENTRE for Family Health Research in Zambia (CFHRZ) is currently collaborating with International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and USAID among many other partners to conduct research dubbed: Multi-Site Study for Adolescent Girls and Young Women for future HIV and vaccines and antibodies for prevention (MAGY) on cost-effective interventions for HIV.
CFHRZ executive director William Kilembe told journalists who were part of the Media Science Café (MESICA) in Zambia on Wednesday that the study, which began in June last year and will go on until June 2026, aims to identify effective HIV vaccines and antibody products for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who are disproportionately affected by HIV.
The study being conducted at two sites in Lusaka and Ndola has already revealed some alarming statistics, including the fact that many HIV-negative participants have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancies.
“Notable is the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and number of unplanned pregnancies that have been identified at enrollment and during follow-up,’’ Dr Kilembe said.
He said last month, it came out that out of the 405 participants, 47 participants had Chlamydia Trachomatis, 24 had Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, 46 had Trichomonas Vaginalis, 24 had Syphilis, 16 had Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and 56 pregnancies were recorded.
Dr Kilemebe emphasized that AGYW face significant barriers in accessing HIV prevention and family planning services.
He stressed the need for effective interventions, such as family planning services and long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), to be accessible to this age group without the current barriers.
“The adolescents and youths face various structural barriers in accessing HIV prevention and family planning services. Because we realise that this age ground bear the brand of HIV, they really need to be priotised in terms of interventions that have been known and shown to be efficacious such as Family planning Services, CAB-LA. They should be able to access these without the barriers they face,’’ Dr Kilemebe stressed.
The MAGY study has enrolled 406 HIV-negative participants, with a retention rate of 82 percent at one year of follow-up.
The research is ongoing until June, 2026 and aims to address the next generation of vaccines, virus surveillance, and sustainable capacity.
He said related to HIV, CFHRZ has many interventions including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and other interventions but that the cases of HIV are high in the same population.
“We have demonstrated through the MAGY study that indeed the adolescents and young women continue to bear the brand of HIV,’’ he said.
Dr Kilembe highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to find solutions to the challenges of HIV
The MAGY study is a significant step towards understanding the unique needs and vulnerabilities of AGYW in the context of HIV.
By identifying effective interventions and developing targeted solutions, the study aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young women in Zambia and beyond.
