Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

The proposed activity will support the 26th IWHOD, to be held in Villamoura, Portugal, from 21-23rd March, 2024. The objective of this workshop is to bring together junior and senior researchers from both high and low/middle income settings working on cohorts of patients with/at risk for HIV, viral hepatitis related sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) to present their latest findings and work in progress and allow open discussions on common issues of cohort methodology, techniques and statistics. This conference aims to facilitate and translate scientific debates of methods, results, and clinical and epidemiological implications globally. IWHOD contributes to the improvement of health and healthcare systems as it leads to the production and dissemination of outstanding collaborative research at national and global levels. Between 2013-2019, more than 200 manuscripts have resulted from work presented and shared at this premier meeting. The program includes abstracts selected by an international Scientific Committee thematically grouped into six 90-minute sessions which allow time for discussion and debate. In addition, IWHOD will feature plenary presentations, debates and panel discussions by invited experts. Sessions are dedicated to patient management, co-infections/comorbidities, maternal/child infections. prevention and methodology. Session chairs are gender balanced, include community members, young investigators and diverse participants from under-represented research settings. The ultimate goal of the meeting is to foster evidence based research in HIV, hepatitis and STBBIs that will address the significant gaps in our current understanding and foster collaborative initiatives. By bringing together the top national and international researchers and emerging young talent we help build capacity research locally and globally with the ultimate aim of preventing new infections and improving the lives of persons living with HIV/STBBIs.