Page 25 - Nursing Matters June 2021 Vol 12

current issues
cur r ent issues

South Africa

needs to embrace the

Undetectable = Untransmittable

(U=U) campaign

Mandisa Nikita Dukashe, B-Cur, Adv HIV management, Adv Project Management
Department of Public Health, Walter Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, South Africa

It is more than 5 years since science has treatment works as prevention against knowledge may relieve people living with
shown that viral suppression could stop HIV transmission but translating these HIV (PLHIV) of stigma associated with
the transmission of HIV. Four large studies findings into population-level benefits their HIV status, too many patients are
(HPTN052, PARTERS, PARTNER2 and has proven more difficult. unaware that viral suppression can stop the
Opposites Attract) were conducted from transmission of HIV.
2007 to 2016 and included thousands Based on earlier studies, the World
of serodiscordant couples in which there Health Organization (WHO) UNAIDS’ 2015 incremental treatment
was not a single case of sexual (vaginal recommended early treatment and scale-up targets, and the even bolder
or anal) HIV transmission from a virally national guidelines globally began to 90-90-90 targets by 2020 were both
3
suppressed partner. These couples were reflect the growing scientific consensus met with collective failure and a minority
1
engaging in condomless sex and not that HIV could not be sexually transmitted of countries did reached their targets.
using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). when the virus is undetectable. Despite Instead, the world is now on the fast
1
2
These clinical trials prove that HIV research bodies understanding that this track to epidemic control by 2030,
HIV Nursing Matters | June 2021 | page 23