Anastase Dzudie
Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Service of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon; Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
Boris Tchounga
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Rogers Ajeh
Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Charles Kouanfack
HIV Day Hospital, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Peter Vanes Ebasone
Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Tatiana Djikeussi
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Léonard Bonono Nyoto
National AIDS Control Committee, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
Joseph Fokam
International Reference Centre Chantal Biya (IRCCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Jérôme Ateudjieu
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Patrice Tchendjou
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue
International Reference Centre Chantal Biya (IRCCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Fabrice Youbi
Division of the Fight against Diseases, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
Jean Anoubessi
National AIDS Control Committee, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
Marie Varloteaux
Cameroon office, National Agency for Research on AIDS (ANRS), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Boris Youngui
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Felicite Naah Tabala
Division of Health Operational Research, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Benjamin Atanga
Division of Health Operational Research, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Leonie Simo
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Armel Zemsi
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Emile Shu Nforbih
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Gilles Ndayisaba
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Annereke Nyenti
Limbe Regional Hospital, Limbe, Cameroon
Apungwa Cornelius Ntabe
Cameroon Bioethics Initiative, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Therese Abong Bwemba
National Ethics Committee, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Eugene Sobngwi
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Serge Billong
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; National AIDS Control Committee, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
John Ditekemena
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Anne Cecile Zoung-Kanyi Bisseck
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Division of Health Operational Research, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Louis Richard Njock
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; General Secretariat, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon
Abstract
Introduction: the Treat-All remains the globally endorsed approach to attain the 95-95-95 targets and end the AIDS pandemic by 2030, but requires some country-level contextualization. In Cameroon, the specific research agenda to inform strategies for improving HIV policy was yet to be defined.
Methods: under the patronage of the Cameroon Ministry of health, researchers, policy makers, implementing partners, and clinicians from 13 institutions, used the Delphi method to arrive at a consensus of HIV research priorities. The process had five steps: 1) independent literature scan by 5 working groups; 2) review of the initial priority list; 3) appraisal of priorities list in a larger group; 4) refinement and consolidation by a consensus group; 5) rating of top research priorities.
Results: five research priorities and corresponding research approaches, resulted from the process. These include: 1) effectiveness, safety and active toxicity monitoring of new and old antiretrovirals; 2) outcomes of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) with focus in children and adolescents; 3) impact of HIV and ART on aging and major chronic diseases; 4) ART dispensation models and impact on adherence and retention; 5) evaluations of HIV treatment and prevention programs.
Conclusion: the research priorities resulted from a consensus amongst a multidisciplinary team and were based on current data about the pandemic and science to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure HIV. These priorities highlighted critical areas of investigation with potential relevance for the country, funders, and regulatory bodies.
