August 11, 2026
Young Heroes Shares Eswatini’s HIV Response Lessons with the World at IAS 2026
Young Heroes demonstrated how community-driven programmes in Eswatini are contributing to global knowledge on HIV prevention and treatment when four members of its technical team presented research and implementation experiences at the 26th International AIDS Conference (IAS 2026) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Recognized as the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS, IAS 2026 brought together thousands of researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, development partners, and civil society leaders committed to advancing the global HIV response. For Young Heroes, the conference provided an important platform to both learn from international best practices and showcase evidence generated through its work with children, adolescents, young people, and families across Eswatini.
Representing the organization, the Young Heroes team presented five research posters highlighting innovative, community-based approaches to improving HIV outcomes:
- Nobuhle Mthethwa presented research on expanding HIV testing through community-based HIV self-testing among pregnant and breastfeeding women, demonstrating how differentiated service delivery can improve access to HIV testing for vulnerable populations.
- Cebsile Zwane shared findings on the influence of mobility, gender, and treatment interruptions on HIV treatment outcomes and long-term retention in care, providing insights into factors affecting sustained treatment success.
- Zwakele Dlamini presented evidence on the effectiveness of unconditional cash grants combined with intensified adherence support in improving viral load suppression among children and adolescents living with HIV.
- Sandile Ginindza presented two research posters:
- Demonstrating how integrated community and health facility support contributes to improved viral suppression among children and adolescents living with HIV.
- Highlighting the effectiveness of community-based tracking and re-engagement strategies for people experiencing treatment interruptions through a multi-district initiative in Eswatini.
The studies, conducted in collaboration with government and implementing partners, reflected practical, evidence-based approaches to strengthening HIV testing, treatment, retention in care, and long-term health outcomes. Together, they illustrated the value of integrating community systems with facility-based services to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
The presentations generated strong interest from delegates created valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and demonstrate Young Heroes’ growing contribution to implementation science and operational research that informs HIV policy and programming.
Beyond sharing research findings, the conference enabled the delegation to engage with emerging evidence, innovative technologies, and new service delivery approaches that have the potential to strengthen future programming in Eswatini. Lessons learned from IAS 2026 will help inform ongoing efforts to improve HIV prevention, treatment adherence, adolescent-friendly services, community systems strengthening, and youth-centred interventions.
The Young Heroes Team return from Rio with strengthened partnerships, new knowledge, and renewed inspiration to serve communities across Eswatini. More importantly, their participation reaffirmed that locally generated evidence and community-led innovations from Eswatini are contributing to global conversations on the future of the HIV response.
Young Heroes continues to invest in research, learning, and collaboration, and remains committed to translating local experience into evidence that improves programs, informs policy, and contributes to ending HIV as a public health threat—both in Eswatini and around the world.
