South Africa needs to build demand for long-acting HIV prevention injection

Lenacapavir, or LEN, is an injection that can prevent HIV for six months at a time.

South Africa began offering it at 360 government clinics in June, but just over 71,000 people had taken it by 5 October.

Past experience with daily prevention pills shows that even free medicines may go unused if people do not know about them or where to get them.

Researchers say direct conversations and other outreach can help people learn about prevention options.