A Look Back at AFRAVIH 2026

A Look Back at AFRAVIH 2026: Solthis’ Contributions

From May 4 to 7, 2026, Solthis participated in the 13th edition of AFRAVIH 2026, the International Francophone Conference on HIV, Hepatitis, and Emerging Infections, held this year in Lausanne, Switzerland. This event brought together health professionals, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STIs, and emerging infections, as well as to the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and equitable access to care.

On this occasion, Solthis teams presented several scientific and community-based projects conducted in West Africa (in French only), focusing on prevention, screening, access to care, and community empowerment. (Click on the title to view the poster or presentation.)

• A morning thematic session dedicated to cervical cancer

Solthis presented during a thematic session titled:

“Screening and Management of Cervical Cancer: Comparative Perspectives on Impactful Strategies in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea”

This presentation provided an opportunity to share field experiences and innovative approaches implemented to improve access to screening and management of cervical cancer.

• Three oral presentations

– Use of GeneXpert for maternal viral load testing at delivery and early diagnosis of newborns to optimize post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up of infants exposed to HIV in Guinea (IPOP project)

– Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among newborns exposed to HIV in Guinea (IPOP project)

– Empowerment workshops as an innovative and participatory method for HIV prevention and access to sexual and reproductive health care (POUVOIR project)

• Six scientific posters

HIV care

–  Implementation data from the IMPAACT4HIV project in Côte d’Ivoire: improving access to care and treatment for advanced-stage HIV.

Cervical Cancer Prevention and Screening

– Community-based approach in Guinea: film screenings and discussions, health education, and self-gynecology ;

– Screening strategies among sex workers in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea ;

– HPV testing among women living with HIV in Conakry (Guinea).

Empowerment methodologies

– Self-care workshops as a tool for empowering sex workers in Côte d’Ivoire ;

– Introduction of the menstrual cup in self-care workshops to reduce risky practices during menstruation.

Check out our collection of postcards published for AFRAVIH 2026 to highlight and make our various areas of expertise accessible:

– postcard on cervical cancer ;

– postcard on pre-exposure prophylaxis ;

– postcard on sexual and reproductive health and rights ;

– postcard on care for people living with HIV ; 

– postcard on HIV self-testing ;

– postcard on reproductive health among young people in Senegal.

Finally, check out our Solthis brochure to learn about our impact over the past 23 years.

Through these various contributions, Solthis reaffirms its commitment to working alongside health actors and communities to develop innovative, inclusive approaches tailored to local realities in West Africa.