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Peer-reviewedCC BYGlobal Public Health

Rebuilding the social foundations of HIV research: Community-engaged approaches for the next phase of HIV cure research in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Elise M. Van der elst1
  • Rujeko S. Chimukuche2
  • Sharon Kruger3
  • Khadija Richards4
  • Helena Lamptey5
  • Mfochive N. Iliassou6
  • Victoria O. Kasprowicz2
  • John B.F. De Wit1
  • Eduard J. Sanders7
  • Karine Dubé8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
  2. 2Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
  3. 3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu (FAMCRU), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
  4. 4African Alliance, Johannesburg, South Africa
  5. 5Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
  6. 6Université Yaoundé I, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences Biomédicales, Yaoundé, Cameroon
  7. 7Implementation Research Division, Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
  8. 8Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA
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Abstract

The search for an HIV cure is advancing rapidly, yet the socio-behavioural, ethical, and institutional foundations needed to support responsible cure research remain unevenly developed. Participation in HIV cure studies—particularly those involving analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs)—is shaped not only by clinical eligibility criteria but also by stigma, perceptions of risk and benefit, relational responsibilities, and broader structural inequalities. In many settings in sub-Saharan Africa, limited public understanding of HIV cure science and persistent structural stigma may affect trust in research institutions and willingness to participate in clinical trials. In this viewpoint, we argue that strengthening the social foundations of HIV research is essential for ensuring ethical, inclusive, and sustainable progress toward an HIV cure. Drawing on socio-behavioural research and participatory global health approaches, we propose Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) as a framework for fostering reciprocal learning between researchers and communities. Integrating such approaches can strengthen research governance, improve participant understanding, and support locally grounded leadership in HIV cure science. Ultimately, strengthening the social foundations of HIV research will be critical to ensuring that emerging cure strategies translate into equitable global health impact.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{elst2026rebuilding,
  title = {{Rebuilding the social foundations of HIV research: Community-engaged approaches for the next phase of HIV cure research in Sub-Saharan Africa}},
  author = {Elise M. Van der elst and Rujeko S. Chimukuche and Sharon Kruger and Khadija Richards and Helena Lamptey and Mfochive N. Iliassou and Victoria O. Kasprowicz and John B.F. De Wit and Eduard J. Sanders and Karine Dubé},
  journal = {Global Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1080/17441692.2026.2753365},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2026.2753365},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Rebuilding the social foundations of HIV research: Community-engaged approaches for the next phase of HIV cure research in Sub-Saharan Africa
AU  - Elise M. Van der elst
AU  - Rujeko S. Chimukuche
AU  - Sharon Kruger
AU  - Khadija Richards
AU  - Helena Lamptey
AU  - Mfochive N. Iliassou
AU  - Victoria O. Kasprowicz
AU  - John B.F. De Wit
AU  - Eduard J. Sanders
AU  - Karine Dubé
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/31
JO  - Global Public Health
DO  - 10.1080/17441692.2026.2753365
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2026.2753365
AB  - The search for an HIV cure is advancing rapidly, yet the socio-behavioural, ethical, and institutional foundations needed to support responsible cure research remain unevenly developed. Participation in HIV cure studies—particularly those involving analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs)—is shaped not only by clinical eligibility criteria but also by stigma, perceptions of risk and benefit, relational responsibilities, and broader structural inequalities. In many settings in sub-Saharan Africa, limited public understanding of HIV cure science and persistent structural stigma may affect trust in research institutions and willingness to participate in clinical trials. In this viewpoint, we argue that strengthening the social foundations of HIV research is essential for ensuring ethical, inclusive, and sustainable progress toward an HIV cure. Drawing on socio-behavioural research and participatory global health approaches, we propose Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) as a framework for fostering reciprocal learning between researchers and communities. Integrating such approaches can strengthen research governance, improve participant understanding, and support locally grounded leadership in HIV cure science. Ultimately, strengthening the social foundations of HIV research will be critical to ensuring that emerging cure strategies translate into equitable global health impact.
SN  - 1744-1706
SN  - 1744-1692
ER  -