Understanding PrEP Acceptability Among Priority Populations: Results from a Qualitative Study of Potential Users in Central Uganda. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can safely and effectively prevent HIV acquisition in HIV-negative individuals. However, uptake of PrEP has been suboptimal in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal of this qualitative study was to identify facilitators of and barriers to PrEP acceptability among target users not taking PrEP. Fifty-nine individuals belonging to Ugandan priority populations participated in a single in-depth interview. Participants perceived themselves as being at high risk for HIV acquisition, and expressed interest in PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy. Two forms of stigma emerged as potential barriers to PrEP use: (1) misidentification as living with HIV; and (2) disclosure of membership in a priority population. Acceptability of PrEP was dampened for this sample of potential PrEP users due to anticipated stigmatization. Mitigating stigma should be a key component of effective PrEP delivery to reach UNAIDS goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

publication date

  • February 8, 2022

Research

keywords

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Infections
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC9252941

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85124408459

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s11904-010-0057-1

PubMed ID

  • 35133529

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 26

issue

  • 8