Manchester researchers join international research project on HIV treatment

Researchers at The University of Manchester are to take part in an EU project which aims to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of support for HIV sufferers in southern Africa.

The Euro 1.2 million funded consortium of institutions, including the University’s  Institute for Development Policy and Management, will devise and deliver a community based system for HIV Treatment.

The cash has been provided by the EU’s ACP Science and Technology Programme (2010-2013).

The Manchester team of Sarah Bracking, Philip Woodhouse, David Lawson, Tanja Mueller and Christine Walmsler will look at international monitoring and quality control of community based systems.

It will also examine their effectiveness from the perspective of the communities themselves.

Project leader Dr Sarah Bracking, said: “As access to HIV treatment becomes more widely available in sub-Saharan Africa, the need for enhanced access to voluntary HIV counselling and testing  becomes even greater.

“Our specialist experience in the  factors and areas which influence the efficacy of interventions for the support of HIV/AIDS affected persons will equip us well for this task..

“Poverty and limited health services in Africa present barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy

“We need innovative options other than facility based methods for delivery and monitoring such therapy.

“Our project will  tackle these challenges.”

The project team will become part of a larger community of researchers, policy makers, academics and civil society in the project countries of Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia.

Notes for editors

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The University of Manchester
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