Lisa Noguchi, Chukwunomso Osakwe, Logan Donaldson, Linda‐Gail Bekker, Robin Schaefer, Anne Drapkin Lyerly, Breanne Lievense, Suzanne Day, Manju Chatani-Gada, V.A. Miller, Audrey Chigome, Grace Kumwenda
In many countries, notably in Africa, pregnancy and lactation are characterized by increased HIV acquisition risks due to biological, psychosocial, behavioral, and socio-cultural factors. HIV acquisition during pregnancy and lactation contributed to the 350 000 infections among girls aged 15+ and accounted for one-quarter of vertical HIV infections in the African region in 2023. Therefore, there is an urgent need for access to HIV prevention options during pregnancy and lactation.