Investigating the Implementation of Children who are HIV Exposed and Uninfected (CHEU): Tracking Activities during the Exposure Period: Identifying Gaps and Providing Solutions

The population of children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (CHEU) is rapidly growing in Eastern and Southern Africa. While they remain HIV-negative, these children are still at high risk for adverse health and developmental outcomes. Despite considerable progress in preventing vertical HIV transmission, critical gaps persist in tracking, follow-up, and timely HIV testing, particularly during breastfeeding. In 2025, RIATT-ESA commissioned a study titled “Investigating the Implementation of CHEU: tracking activities during the exposure period: identifying gaps and providing solutions”. The study identified gaps and provided evidence-based solutions to improve programming that ensures that infants and children who remain at risk of HIV acquisition are engaging in HIV testing according to each country’s national HIV testing guidelines and are supported as they grow.