Dr. Jennifer Brown

LoDoCA is a prospective cohort study among children and adolescents with HIV in Lesotho, southern Africa who changed from an antiretroviral therapy regimen containing lopinavir to a regimen containing dolutegravir. The study compares treatment satisfaction, neuropsychiatric outcomes (sleep, depression), and gastrointestinal outcomes. Sleep is a key focus, as sleep disturbance has previously been reported as an adverse effect of dolutegravir among adults. Thus, sleep is measured by actigraphy (movement-sensing devices worn by participants around their wrist from around bedtime to morning) in addition to questionnaires.

In settings such as Lesotho, where young women face enormous HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, novel and accessible spaces to complement traditional health facilities are urgently needed. HIV- and pregnancy-related complications are still the leading cause of death among young women in high HIV prevalence settings in Southern Africa. 

Hair salons may offer a safe, accessible, trusted community space to engage young women and address barriers related to HIV/SRH.

In a first step, we concluded an innovative cross-sectional survey – co-designed and conducted in collaboration with citizen scientists – and gathered data among 100 hair stylists and 300 clients across Lesotho. The findings were complemented by qualitative research, narrative storytelling and a video documentary.

In a next step, we are designing and implementing a pilot to evaluate a first HIV/SRH service intervention at a few hair salons in Lesotho.