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. 2021 Apr;25(4):1112-1119.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-03072-0. Epub 2020 Oct 26.

Exploring the Use of Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Women from Durban, South Africa as Part of the HIV Prevention Package in a Clinical Trial

Ivana Beesham  1 , Renee Heffron  2 , Shannon Evans  3 , Jared M Baeten  4 , Jenni Smit  3 , Mags Beksinska  3 , Leila E Mansoor  5
Affiliations

Exploring the Use of Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Women from Durban, South Africa as Part of the HIV Prevention Package in a Clinical Trial

Ivana Beesham et al. AIDS Behav. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

HIV endpoint-driven clinical trials in Africa enroll women who are at heightened risk of acquiring HIV. In 2017, the South African Medical Research Council recommended the provision of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in HIV prevention trials, at which time the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes trial was ongoing and began to provide PrEP on-site at some trial sites. We interviewed 132 women who initiated PrEP on-site at the Durban, South Africa trial site to explore PrEP use, and conducted phone-based interviews 4-6 months post-trial exit to explore post-trial PrEP access. PrEP uptake was high (42.6%). Among women initiating PrEP on-site, 87.9% felt at risk of acquiring HIV. Most women (> 90%) heard of PrEP for the first time from study staff and three-quarters who initiated PrEP on-site continued at trial-exit. PrEP use declined post-trial exit with more than 50% of women discontinuing PrEP, and barriers relating to access emerged.

Keywords: Clinical trials; HIV prevention; Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis; Women.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declares that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Missing doses in the last 7 and last 30 days
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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