{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,28]],"date-time":"2026-08-28T14:17:02Z","timestamp":1787926622225,"version":"build-2784847793"},"reference-count":72,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Despite global progress in HIV prevention, Africa continues to carry a disproportionate share of the epidemic and its related inequalities. Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been limited by adherence and accessibility challenges. Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable PrEP administered every six months, has shown efficacy in clinical trials among high-risk populations in sub-Saharan Africa and offers new promise for prevention efforts. This Policy Perspective examines the opportunities and barriers to equitable access and rollout of lenacapavir in African settings. Key challenges include high implementation costs, limited health infrastructure, regulatory delays, supply chain constraints, and social barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and mistrust. We argue that the promise of lenacapavir will only be realized if its introduction is accompanied by policies and programs that address these systemic obstacles. Ensuring equitable access will require robust stakeholder collaboration, meaningful community engagement, and deliberate efforts to strengthen health systems.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/23259582261482037","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T23:33:36Z","timestamp":1787700816000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention in Africa: Opportunities, Barriers, and Policy Priorities"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"25","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1643-5995","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Stanley Chinedu","family":"Eneh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"The University of Texas at El Paso"},{"name":"IVAN Research Institute"},{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Francisca Ogochukwu","family":"Onukansi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"IVAN Research Institute"},{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"Federal University of Technology Owerri"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3389-6176","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chidera Gabriel","family":"Obi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Awka,"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Collins Chibueze","family":"Anokwuru","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"Federal University of Technology Owerri"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ogechi Vinaprisca","family":"Ikhuoria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Moses Ifeatu","family":"Nwuzoh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"Sheffield Hallam University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Samson Adiaetok","family":"Udoewah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"University of Port Harcourt"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Moses Obinna","family":"John","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"LIGS University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Onyeka Chukwudalu","family":"Ekwebene","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"Indiana University School of Medicine"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Udokang Ephraim","family":"Ikpongifono","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"University of Uyo"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chioma Adaora","family":"Nwalieji","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Youth in Research Hub, Vital Health Reach Foundation (VHRF)"},{"name":"University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Louis Oguchukwu","family":"Ugwulor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Gregory University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Okoli Chukwudinma","family":"Chigozie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"FCT Hospitals Management Board, Abuja, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Temitope Olumuyiwa","family":"Ojo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_5_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3201\/eid1706.100184"},{"key":"e_1_3_5_3_2","volume-title":"HIV","author":"NHS inform","unstructured":"NHS inform. 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