The Malawi Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (MPHIA 2020-2021) was a household-based national survey among adults (defined as those aged 15 years and older) to measure the impact of the national HIV response. Conducted from January 2020 through April 2021 (with a pause from June 2020 until March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), MPHIA 2020-2021 offered HIV counseling and testing with return of results and collected information about uptake of HIV care and treatment services. This was the second survey in Malawi to estimate national HIV incidence and national and subnational viral load suppression (VLS), defined as HIV RNA <1,000 copies per milliliter (mL). The first MPHIA was conducted from November 2015 through August 2016. The results of these surveys provide information on national and subnational progress toward control of the HIV epidemic.

MPHIA 2020-2021 was led by the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Commission. The survey was conducted with funding from the United States (US) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and through technical assistance and partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MPHIA 2020-2021 was implemented by ICAP at Columbia University in collaboration with government of Malawi at national and district levels. The government of Malawi, local civil society organizations, and international development partners participated in steering committees and technical working groups during study implementation.