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. 2019 Jan-Dec:18:2325958219831011.
doi: 10.1177/2325958219831011.

PrEP as a Lifestyle and Investment for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jessica E Haberer  1   2 , Nelly Mugo  3   4 , Jared M Baeten  4 , Maria Pyra  4 , Elizabeth Bukusi  4   5 , Linda-Gail Bekker  6
Affiliations

PrEP as a Lifestyle and Investment for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Jessica E Haberer et al. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2019 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are highly affected by the HIV epidemic, yet standard approaches to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery will not meet their needs. This commentary highlights key characteristics of AGYW related to PrEP use and delivery, including typical neurocognitive development, lack of experience with sustained medication use, and the social and connected nature of AGYW's lives. We then suggest ways for programs to embrace these characteristics, such as presenting PrEP as a lifestyle choice and not a biomedical tool, making access to PrEP simple and easy, and recognizing the many influences AGYW face in taking PrEP. We also suggest ways for programs to identify AGYW at the highest risk of HIV acquisition. Adolescent girls and young women have an important role to play in ending the HIV epidemic and they deserve considerable, tailored investment.

Keywords: HIV; PrEP; adolescent girls and young women; sub-Saharan Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. J.E.H. has received consulting fees from Merck and Natera.

References

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