SHIP

“People don’t move through HIV care in a straight line—and our health systems shouldn’t assume they do.”

SHIP is excited to share our latest research presented at the now concluded #AIDS2026, examining how clients transition through HIV care across our four community-led SAIL Clinics. Using multistate survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models, we found that delayed ART initiation, educational attainment, employment, and viral hepatitis significantly influence both disengagement from and re-engagement in HIV care.

These findings reinforce the need for person-centered, differentiated service delivery that supports clients throughout their care journey, not just at the point of treatment initiation.

Better HIV outcomes require more than getting people into care. Better HIV outcomes require helping people stay connected to care.

HIV self-testing is opening doors to #PrEP—but not equally for everyone.

Data from SAIL TelePrEP (January to September 2025, n=4,955) shows that HIV self-testing is a powerful gateway into PrEP: 2 in 3 clients who came in for self-testing chose to combine it with PrEP on the spot.

Who was most likely to say yes to PrEP?

Clients aged 45 years and older (4.7x more likely)

Employed and student clients

Those reporting condomless sex or shared needle use—meaning risk-informed decision support is working

But geography still matters. The SAIL Clinics operate in Metro Manila and Region 4-A. Clients residing outside these areas had significantly lower odds of choosing PrEP, even after accounting for demographics and risk, serving as a reminder that digital health still runs into very physical barriers.

The takeaway: HIV self-testing accessed via remote platforms like TelePrEP and other telehealth options are meeting people where they are—we now need regional PrEP hubs to meet them where they live.