news & press

Psychological, social and behavioural factors play a paramount role in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Transmission is behaviour-driven, occurring in South Africa almost entirely through sexual activity. Psychological factors like depression and substance abuse, and social factors like gender inequality and intergenerational sex, have been shown to be the primary drivers of sexual behaviour in the HIV era. Therefore, psychosocial and behavioural factors are crucial to the success of prevention research.

At the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation the Men’s Health Division is one of the few sites in Africa where studies are being carried out to further the knowledge on how vulnerable key populations, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM), can be protected from HIV. The Foundation has published an up-to-date training manual that is relevant and accessible to African health care workers and counsellors.

This exciting new initiative aims to expand and strengthen the contribution of South African investigators to HIV vaccine research through a structured mentorship and PhD Programme. SHAPe, supported by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) with funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Fogarty International Center (FIC) of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), will help to develop and foster young investigators’ careers, specifically clinicians looking to complete a clinical research, laboratorybased, epidemiological or public health PhD.

At a time when vaccine research has had such discouraging results, this is the big question that waits to be answered. The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation(DTHF) is the only African site involved in a world wide study assessing if Truvada®, a medication used to treat those living with HIV, can also prevent the transmission of HIV in men who have sex with men. It is called the PrEP study (pre-exposure prophylaxis). The results of this important study are due to be released shortly – the date is still to be announced.

SHAPe: South African/HVTN AIDS Vaccine Early Stage Investigator Programme now accepting applications. Click resources or click below for more information.

DTHF proudly congratulates Deputy Director Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker for her prestigious award

Cape Times, 22 October 2009, by Jason Warner -

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation welcomed the French Development Agency for the signing of the R3.3 million testing and treatment grant.

The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre set up 21 red flags symbolising the 21 World AIDS Days that have been commemorated internationally on 1 December 2009.