Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP)

We're delighted to share that the RHSP Laboratory is now recommended for ISO 15189:2022 accreditation after a successful SANAS assessment. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to international best practices in medical testing, ensuring accurate, reliable diagnostics that power impactful research and quality care across Uganda and beyond. We remain dedicated to excellence — as a trusted research and diagnostic partner on the global stage. Read more about the RHSP lab here: https://lnkd.in/dcpRQbG3

We’re proud to share that RHSP was recognized by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as one of the top compliant organizations in the South Central region—an acknowledgment of our ongoing commitment to compliance and timely contributions. Earlier today, our Human Resources Manager, Nankya Joan officially handed over the award to our Executive Director during the interdepartmental meeting, celebrating this as a key organizational achievement. We extend our sincere thanks to NSSF for this recognition and for championing a culture of accountability and social security.

RHSP publication 📖 Using interactive Dashboards to Improve HIV Data sharing and research in Uganda Access to real-time epidemiological data is essential for effective disease prevention and research. A publicly available interactive dashboard, built using de-identified data from the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS), is reshaping how HIV trends are explored and analyzed. Key Features of the Dashboard: •          Displays HIV incidence, prevalence, ART coverage, and circumcision rates across different demographics. •          Allows users to filter data by community type, sex, marital status, age, and religion. •          Provides a secure, de-identified dataset, ensuring participant privacy while allowing for in-depth exploration. •          Enables hypothesis generation by revealing trends in HIV prevention strategies and epidemiological patterns. Impact and Benefits: •          Facilitates collaboration among researchers by providing open access to aggregated data. •          Increases transparency and reproducibility in HIV research. •          Strengthens evidence-based decision-making for public health programs. •          Serves as a model for secure, interactive data sharing in global health research. By making complex HIV data more accessible, the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) Dashboard is transforming how researchers, policymakers, and public health practitioners interact with HIV data in Uganda. Explore the full study: https://lnkd.in/dn6SgCtT

Thank you Holly Isenberg for highlighting this. RHSP is committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals through student training and mentorship programs. Despite these challenges, our dedication remains strong, and with the support of partners and donors, we can continue delivering lifesaving care, advancing research, and empowering future health leaders. Please consider donating to ensure RHSP’s work continues to protect and improve lives. Your contribution can make a real impact.

RHSP publications 📖 Understanding HIV-1 Reservoirs: Insights from Subtypes A1, D, and Recombinant Strains in Uganda. Efforts to cure HIV-1 face a major challenge: the persistence of latent proviral reservoirs in CD4+ T cells. Most research on HIV-1 persistence has focused on subtype B, commonly found in North America and Europe. This study expands knowledge by analyzing HIV-1 subtypes A1, D, and recombinant strains in Uganda, where the burden of HIV is highest. Key Findings: •          Intact HIV genomes are rare in these subtypes, similar to findings in subtype B. •          Clonal expansion occurs in both intact and defective proviruses, reinforcing its role in HIV persistence. •          The study modified and optimized the Intact Proviral DNA Assay (IPDA) to detect non-subtype B proviruses, improving future HIV research efforts. Why This Matters: HIV cure strategies must account for genetic diversity across subtypes. Findings from this research support the need for subtype-specific approaches to measuring and targeting HIV reservoirs, ensuring cure strategies are effective for populations in Africa and beyond. Read the full study: https://www.rhsp.org/r/h5c #HIV #CureResearch #HIVGenetics #PublicHealth #Uganda #HIVCare

Thrilled to share that I had the opportunity to present at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2025) as a recipient of the New Investigator Scholarship! I presented the latest study I led on the HIV burden among male partners of female bar or sex workers (FBSWs) in Uganda, conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) – Kate Grabowski, Larry William Chang, Aaron Tobian, Steven Reynolds – and the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) – Robert Ssekubugu. Our study revealed that male partners of FBSWs experience a sixfold higher HIV incidence compared to the general male population in the same area, yet only 6% reported current PrEP use. The high prevalence of HIV viremia in this group underscores their potential role as a transmission bridge population and highlights the urgent need to prioritize this high-risk yet underserved group in HIV prevention efforts across Africa. A huge thank you to everyone who supported and collaborated on this impactful work!

In many African settings, female sex work and bar work are closely intertwined. Due to stigma and criminalization, women engaged in sex work will sometimes identify as female bar workers (FBWs) rather than sex workers, limiting the reach of traditional HIV prevention programs and surveillance efforts. Our team, led by Xinyi Feng, Robert Ssekubugu, and colleagues at Johns Hopkins and Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), has posted two linked studies to medRxiv that address this gap by leveraging population-based surveillance data in Uganda. These are the first large-scale, longitudinal studies in Africa to estimate HIV seroprevalence, incidence, and viral suppression (including population burden of viremia) among female bar workers, and men who report sexual partnerships with FBWs and/or female sex workers (FBSWs) Key Findings: FBWs (n=1,205 of 23,556 women surveyed) ·      52% HIV prevalence ·      HIV incidence 3.6x higher than other women ·      Only 2.8% of HIV-negative FBWs reported current PrEP use Men with FBSW partners (n=2,420 of 17,438 men) - 13% of population reporting in past year        - HIV incidence up to 6x higher than other men -   Only 6% reported current PrEP use - Most also had non-FBSW partners, underscoring the importance of reaching this group for epidemic control efforts Importantly, across both groups, viral suppression among individuals living with HIV was high (~90%), and comparable to the general population. However, due to the high background burden of HIV incidence, the population-level prevalence of viremia remained elevated. These findings suggest that further reductions in transmission in these populations will be difficult to achieve through treatment scale-up alone. Expanding access to PrEP and other prevention tools will be essential. Both preprints are now available on medRxiv and provide critical data to inform HIV epidemic control strategies in generalized epidemic settings. https://lnkd.in/exF5xtXJ https://lnkd.in/eBqj9v_W #HIV #Epidemiology #PrEP #PEPFAR #HIVIncidence #ViralSuppression #BarWorkers #SexWork #medRxiv #Uganda #PublicHealth #JohnsHopkins #RHSP #HIVPrevention #KeyPopulations

The rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is straining Uganda’s healthcare system. A qualitative study from South Central Uganda highlights the challenges and opportunities of integrating HIV and Non-Communicable Diseases care. Health workers face barriers like heavy workload, resource constraints, and lack of clinical guidelines. Why This Matters: With 20% of Ugandan adults living with HIV also having an NCD, strengthening integrated care models can enhance patient outcomes. Training health workers and improving resource allocation will be critical in achieving successful integration. 📖 Read the full study here: https://www.rhsp.org/r/m5x

RHSP Featured in Johns Hopkins University News for achieving Net-Zero energy. We’re honored to be featured by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) for reaching a historic milestone—achieving Net-Zero energy at our facility. A heartfelt thank you to our collaborators and JHU for over 35 years of partnership and support—and for spotlighting RHSP’s journey in their publication. Together, we continue driving impact where it matters most. Read the full article by Isabelle Nobili here: https://lnkd.in/gaYkn27B #RHSP35 #JHU #NetZero #Sustainability #GlobalHealth

Meet Elizabeth Nabakooza Sanyu—a woman driven by purpose and a passion for impact. She finds fulfillment in RHSP’s work, knowing that every effort transforms lives in the community. Her advice? Keep pushing forward—what feels like your peak today is just the foundation for tomorrow’s success. #IWD2025