Lario Viljoen
Biographic Data
| ID | 237055 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Lario Viljoen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Lario |
| FAMILY NAME | Viljoen |
| SIGNATURE | VILJOEN L |
| AFFILIATIONS | Stellenbosch University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4039-6639 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 14 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 8 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 14 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Maternal and health worker preferences for paediatric antiretroviral formulations in neonates exposed to HIV
Oral liquid formulations of zidovudine (ZDV) and nevirapine (NVP) are the main antiretrovirals (ARVs) for neonates born to mothers living with HIV, but they have limitations including poor palatability, short shelf-life, frequent dosing and supply challenges. Understanding caregiver and provider preferences for infant ARV formulations is essential to guide the development of acceptable alternatives. Within the PETITE-DTG trial in South Africa (NC…
The local dynamics of sociostructural features and HIV stigma in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial
Across sub-Saharan Africa, stigma levels have been decreasing but not enough to achieve the 95–95–95 HIV targets by 2030. Current global HIV frameworks have identified stigma reduction, context specific interventions, and community mobilization as critical to enabling more effective uptake of HIV services. We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data collected in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South …
Perspectives of people living with HIV and health workers about a point-of-care adherence assay
Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence monitoring is premised on patients’ self-reported adherence behaviour (prone to recall error) and verified by blood viral load measurement (which can delay results). A newly developed Urine Tenofovir Rapid Assay (UTRA) assesses tenofovir in urine at point-of-care and is a novel tool to test and immediately respond to adherence levels of people living with HIV (PLHIV). We explored PLHIV and health wor…
Community-based health workers implementing universal access to HIV testing and treatment
The global expansion of HIV testing, prevention and treatment services is necessary to achieve HIV epidemic control and promote individual and population health benefits for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Community-based health workers (CHWs) could play a key role in supporting implementation at scale. In the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and South Africa, a cadre of 737 study-specific CHWs, working closely with governm…
It Stays Between Us
In contexts of scarcity, managing comorbidities is a complex process, shaped by divergent understandings of causes, prognoses, and social meanings of illness. Drawing on research with one young South African woman living with HIV and epilepsy, and 13 other people with comorbidities, we describe how concepts of "public" and "private" shape the management of co-morbid conditions. Despite narratives of HIV "normalization," participants labored to ke…
Universal HIV testing and treatment and HIV stigma reduction
Despite continued development of effective HIV treatment, expanded access to care and advances in prevention modalities, HIV-related stigma persists. We examine how, in the context of a universal HIV-testing and treatment trial in South Africa and Zambia, increased availability of HIV services influenced conceptualisations of HIV. Using qualitative data, we explore people's stigma-related experiences of living in 'intervention' and 'control' stud…
OUP accepted manuscript
Universal' access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has become the global standard for treating people living with HIV and achieving epidemic control; yet, findings from numerous 'test and treat' trials and implementation studies in sub-Saharan Africa suggest that bringing 'universal' access to ART to scale is more complex than anticipated. Using South Africa as a case example, we describe the research priorities and foci in the literature on exp…
Value and Limitations of Broad Brush Surveys Used in Community-Randomized Trials in Southern Africa
We describe and reflect on a rapid qualitative survey approach called "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) used in six community-randomized trials (CRTs)/studies in Zambia and South Africa (2004-2018) to document, compare, classify, and communicate community features systematically for public health and multidisciplinary research ends. BBS is based on a set sequence of participatory qualitative methods and fieldwork carried out prior to a CRT intervention …
Understanding the Time Needed to Link to Care and Start ART in Seven HPTN 071 (PopART) Study Communities in Zambia and South Africa
To achieve UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets at population-level, knowledge of HIV status must be followed by timely linkage to care, initiation and maintenance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people living with HIV (PLHIV). Interpreting quantitative patterns using qualitative data, we investigate time taken to link to care and initiate ART amongst individuals aware of their HIV-status in high HIV-prevalence urban communities in the HPTN 071 (PopAR…
Being seen” at the clinic
Health workers in 21 government health facilities in Zambia and South Africa linked spatial organisation of HIV services and material items signifying HIV-status (for example, coloured client cards) to the risk of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) 'being seen' or identified by others. Demarcated HIV services, distinctive client flow and associated-items were considered especially distinguishing. Strategies to circumvent any resulting stigma mostly i…
A narrative analysis positioning HIV relative to personal (sexual) relationship challenges in an agony aunt column in the Western Cape, South Africa – Aunty Mona’s “love advice”
HIV prevalence and incidence in South Africa remain high, making HIV a part of everyday life. Community narratives on HIV treatment and prevention are important and influence official and unofficial health messaging and community perceptions and understandings of HIV. We explore how contributors and the columnist of an agony aunt column position HIV relative to choices made about love, partnership, and sex over three years. We analysed all column…
“The difference that makes a difference”
This paper explores contextual heterogeneity within a community randomised trial HPTN 071 (Population Effects of Antiretroviral Treatment to Reduce HIV Transmission) carried out in 21 study communities (12 Zambian, 9 South African). The trial evaluates the impact of a combination HIV prevention package (including household-based HIV counselling and testing and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) eligibility regardless of CD4-count) on HIV incidence. …
HIV-related stigma and universal testing and treatment for HIV prevention and care
Background : Stigma and discrimination related to HIV and key populations at high risk of HIV have the potential to impede the implementation of effective HIV prevention and treatment programmes at scale. Studies measuring the impact of stigma on these programmes are rare. We are conducting an implementation science study of HIV-related stigma in communities and health settings within a large, pragmatic cluster-randomized trial of a universal tes…
Are you man enough? A Case study of the represented and experienced masculinity in the South African Police Service
The South African Police Service (SAPS), like other policing institutions, is often associated with exaggerated and narrowly hegemonic ‘masculinity’ in which aggressiveness, dominance, fortitude, emotional composure, resilience and an emphasis on physicality are pervasive ideals. Police officers are often perceived to embody these ideals, but few researchers have focused on how this masculinity is experienced by police officers. Semi-structured i…
HIV-related stigma and universal testing and treatment for HIV prevention and care
Background : Stigma and discrimination related to HIV and key populations at high risk of HIV have the potential to impede the implementation of effective HIV prevention and treatment programmes at scale. Studies measuring the impact of stigma on these programmes are rare. We are conducting an implementation science study of HIV-related stigma in communities and health settings within a large, pragmatic cluster-randomized trial of a universal tes…
Value and Limitations of Broad Brush Surveys Used in Community-Randomized Trials in Southern Africa
We describe and reflect on a rapid qualitative survey approach called "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) used in six community-randomized trials (CRTs)/studies in Zambia and South Africa (2004-2018) to document, compare, classify, and communicate community features systematically for public health and multidisciplinary research ends. BBS is based on a set sequence of participatory qualitative methods and fieldwork carried out prior to a CRT intervention …
Being seen” at the clinic
Health workers in 21 government health facilities in Zambia and South Africa linked spatial organisation of HIV services and material items signifying HIV-status (for example, coloured client cards) to the risk of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) 'being seen' or identified by others. Demarcated HIV services, distinctive client flow and associated-items were considered especially distinguishing. Strategies to circumvent any resulting stigma mostly i…
Are you man enough? A Case study of the represented and experienced masculinity in the South African Police Service
The South African Police Service (SAPS), like other policing institutions, is often associated with exaggerated and narrowly hegemonic ‘masculinity’ in which aggressiveness, dominance, fortitude, emotional composure, resilience and an emphasis on physicality are pervasive ideals. Police officers are often perceived to embody these ideals, but few researchers have focused on how this masculinity is experienced by police officers. Semi-structured i…
A narrative analysis positioning HIV relative to personal (sexual) relationship challenges in an agony aunt column in the Western Cape, South Africa – Aunty Mona’s “love advice”
HIV prevalence and incidence in South Africa remain high, making HIV a part of everyday life. Community narratives on HIV treatment and prevention are important and influence official and unofficial health messaging and community perceptions and understandings of HIV. We explore how contributors and the columnist of an agony aunt column position HIV relative to choices made about love, partnership, and sex over three years. We analysed all column…
“The difference that makes a difference”
This paper explores contextual heterogeneity within a community randomised trial HPTN 071 (Population Effects of Antiretroviral Treatment to Reduce HIV Transmission) carried out in 21 study communities (12 Zambian, 9 South African). The trial evaluates the impact of a combination HIV prevention package (including household-based HIV counselling and testing and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) eligibility regardless of CD4-count) on HIV incidence. …
HIV-related stigma and universal testing and treatment for HIV prevention and care
Background : Stigma and discrimination related to HIV and key populations at high risk of HIV have the potential to impede the implementation of effective HIV prevention and treatment programmes at scale. Studies measuring the impact of stigma on these programmes are rare. We are conducting an implementation science study of HIV-related stigma in communities and health settings within a large, pragmatic cluster-randomized trial of a universal tes…
Understanding the Time Needed to Link to Care and Start ART in Seven HPTN 071 (PopART) Study Communities in Zambia and South Africa
To achieve UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets at population-level, knowledge of HIV status must be followed by timely linkage to care, initiation and maintenance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people living with HIV (PLHIV). Interpreting quantitative patterns using qualitative data, we investigate time taken to link to care and initiate ART amongst individuals aware of their HIV-status in high HIV-prevalence urban communities in the HPTN 071 (PopAR…
Being seen” at the clinic
Health workers in 21 government health facilities in Zambia and South Africa linked spatial organisation of HIV services and material items signifying HIV-status (for example, coloured client cards) to the risk of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) 'being seen' or identified by others. Demarcated HIV services, distinctive client flow and associated-items were considered especially distinguishing. Strategies to circumvent any resulting stigma mostly i…
Value and Limitations of Broad Brush Surveys Used in Community-Randomized Trials in Southern Africa
We describe and reflect on a rapid qualitative survey approach called "Broad Brush Survey" (BBS) used in six community-randomized trials (CRTs)/studies in Zambia and South Africa (2004-2018) to document, compare, classify, and communicate community features systematically for public health and multidisciplinary research ends. BBS is based on a set sequence of participatory qualitative methods and fieldwork carried out prior to a CRT intervention …
OUP accepted manuscript
Universal' access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has become the global standard for treating people living with HIV and achieving epidemic control; yet, findings from numerous 'test and treat' trials and implementation studies in sub-Saharan Africa suggest that bringing 'universal' access to ART to scale is more complex than anticipated. Using South Africa as a case example, we describe the research priorities and foci in the literature on exp…
Community-based health workers implementing universal access to HIV testing and treatment
The global expansion of HIV testing, prevention and treatment services is necessary to achieve HIV epidemic control and promote individual and population health benefits for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Community-based health workers (CHWs) could play a key role in supporting implementation at scale. In the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and South Africa, a cadre of 737 study-specific CHWs, working closely with governm…
It Stays Between Us
In contexts of scarcity, managing comorbidities is a complex process, shaped by divergent understandings of causes, prognoses, and social meanings of illness. Drawing on research with one young South African woman living with HIV and epilepsy, and 13 other people with comorbidities, we describe how concepts of "public" and "private" shape the management of co-morbid conditions. Despite narratives of HIV "normalization," participants labored to ke…
Universal HIV testing and treatment and HIV stigma reduction
Despite continued development of effective HIV treatment, expanded access to care and advances in prevention modalities, HIV-related stigma persists. We examine how, in the context of a universal HIV-testing and treatment trial in South Africa and Zambia, increased availability of HIV services influenced conceptualisations of HIV. Using qualitative data, we explore people's stigma-related experiences of living in 'intervention' and 'control' stud…
Perspectives of people living with HIV and health workers about a point-of-care adherence assay
Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence monitoring is premised on patients’ self-reported adherence behaviour (prone to recall error) and verified by blood viral load measurement (which can delay results). A newly developed Urine Tenofovir Rapid Assay (UTRA) assesses tenofovir in urine at point-of-care and is a novel tool to test and immediately respond to adherence levels of people living with HIV (PLHIV). We explored PLHIV and health wor…
The local dynamics of sociostructural features and HIV stigma in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial
Across sub-Saharan Africa, stigma levels have been decreasing but not enough to achieve the 95–95–95 HIV targets by 2030. Current global HIV frameworks have identified stigma reduction, context specific interventions, and community mobilization as critical to enabling more effective uptake of HIV services. We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data collected in 21 urban communities in Zambia and South …
Maternal and health worker preferences for paediatric antiretroviral formulations in neonates exposed to HIV
Oral liquid formulations of zidovudine (ZDV) and nevirapine (NVP) are the main antiretrovirals (ARVs) for neonates born to mothers living with HIV, but they have limitations including poor palatability, short shelf-life, frequent dosing and supply challenges. Understanding caregiver and provider preferences for infant ARV formulations is essential to guide the development of acceptable alternatives. Within the PETITE-DTG trial in South Africa (NC…
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (12 works) · Medicine (11 works) · Psychology (10 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (7 works) · Family medicine (7 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (6 works) · Political science (6 works) · Environmental health (5 works) · Geography (5 works)