"I am still negative": Female sex workers' perspectives on uptake and use of daily pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in South Africa.

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Robyn,Bothma,Rutendo,Bourne,Adam,Gumede,Sanele,Mot Eakle (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Women remain highly vulnerable to HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, with female sex workers (FSWs) facing some of the highestrates of HIV. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to reduce new infections among populations at highest risk andend-user perspectives of actual use in 'real-world' settings are critical to informing PrEP implementation. This paper presents findingsfrom serial in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted with FSW participants during the course of the Treatment And Prevention for Sexworkers (TAPS) Demonstration Project in South Africa, exploring the lived experiences and perceptions of taking up and using PrEP.This research provides insight into risks and responsibilities facing FSWs perceived as prominent drivers in taking up and usingPrEP, how PrEP was adopted to mitigate risk or ameliorate realities, and the characteristics of PrEP most valued, all of which arecritical to consider in scale-up. Overall, distrust in the existence and/or efficacy of PrEP affected the motivation of women to come tothe clinic and to maintain use. As one of the first reports of PrEP use among FSWs outside of a clinical trial setting, this researchshows that it will be important to ensure accurate, relevant, and widespread messaging in communities to generate demand andsupport for PrEP.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2019

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