Julia Tubert1, Laura Packel2, Lauren A Hunter2, Rashid Mfaume3, Prosper Njau4,5, Angela A Ramadhani5, Jenny X Liu6, Sandra I McCoy2. 1. School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA. juliatubert@berkeley.edu. 2. School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA. 3. Shinyanga Regional Medical Office, Shinyanga, Tanzania. 4. Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 5. National AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 6. Institute for Health and Aging, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: HIV risk remains high among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW, ages 15-24) in Tanzania. Many AGYW experience stigma and provider bias at health facilities, deterring their use of HIV prevention services. Privately-owned drug shops, ubiquitous in many communities, may be an effective and accessible channel to deliver HIV prevention products to AGYW, including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the dapivirine vaginal ring. METHODS: In July-August 2019, we enrolled 26 drug shops in Shinyanga, Tanzania in an ongoing study to create "girl-friendly" drug shops where AGYW can access HIV self-testing and contraception. At baseline, all shop dispensers were given basic information about oral PrEP and the dapivirine ring and were asked about their interest in stocking each. During the next 3-5 months, we surveyed AGYW (n = 56) customers about their interest in oral PrEP and the ring. RESULTS: Among dispensers, the median age was 42 years and 77% were female. Overall, 42% of dispensers had heard of a medication for HIV prevention. Almost all dispensers reported some interest in stocking oral PrEP (92%) and the dapivirine ring (96%). Most (85%) reported they would provide oral PrEP to AGYW who requested it. Among AGYW customers, the median age was 17 years; 29% of AGYW were married or had a steady partner and 18% had children. Only 20% of AGYW had heard of a medication to prevent HIV, yet 64% and 43% expressed some interest in using oral PrEP and the dapivirine ring, respectively, after receiving information about the products. PrEP interest was higher among AGYW who were partnered and had children. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low prior awareness of PrEP among shop dispensers and AGYW, we found high levels of interest in oral PrEP and the dapivirine ring in both groups. Community-based drug shops represent a promising strategy to make HIV prevention more accessible to AGYW.
BACKGROUND: HIV risk remains high among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW, ages 15-24) in Tanzania. Many AGYW experience stigma and provider bias at health facilities, deterring their use of HIV prevention services. Privately-owned drug shops, ubiquitous in many communities, may be an effective and accessible channel to deliver HIV prevention products to AGYW, including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the dapivirine vaginal ring. METHODS: In July-August 2019, we enrolled 26 drug shops in Shinyanga, Tanzania in an ongoing study to create "girl-friendly" drug shops where AGYW can access HIV self-testing and contraception. At baseline, all shop dispensers were given basic information about oral PrEP and the dapivirine ring and were asked about their interest in stocking each. During the next 3-5 months, we surveyed AGYW (n = 56) customers about their interest in oral PrEP and the ring. RESULTS: Among dispensers, the median age was 42 years and 77% were female. Overall, 42% of dispensers had heard of a medication for HIV prevention. Almost all dispensers reported some interest in stocking oral PrEP (92%) and the dapivirine ring (96%). Most (85%) reported they would provide oral PrEP to AGYW who requested it. Among AGYW customers, the median age was 17 years; 29% of AGYW were married or had a steady partner and 18% had children. Only 20% of AGYW had heard of a medication to prevent HIV, yet 64% and 43% expressed some interest in using oral PrEP and the dapivirine ring, respectively, after receiving information about the products. PrEP interest was higher among AGYW who were partnered and had children. CONCLUSIONS: Despite low prior awareness of PrEP among shop dispensers and AGYW, we found high levels of interest in oral PrEP and the dapivirine ring in both groups. Community-based drug shops represent a promising strategy to make HIV prevention more accessible to AGYW.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent girls; Dapivirine ring; Drug shops; HIV; HIV prevention; Long-acting PrEP; PrEP; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Sub-Saharan Africa; Tanzania; Young women
Authors: Carol S Camlin; Catherine A Koss; Monica Getahun; Lawrence Owino; Harriet Itiakorit; Cecilia Akatukwasa; Irene Maeri; Robert Bakanoma; Anjeline Onyango; Frederick Atwine; James Ayieko; Jane Kabami; Florence Mwangwa; Mucunguzi Atukunda; Asiphas Owaraganise; Dalsone Kwarisiima; Norton Sang; Elizabeth A Bukusi; Moses R Kamya; Maya L Petersen; Craig R Cohen; Edwin D Charlebois; Diane V Havlir Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2020-07
Authors: Kathleen Ridgeway; Elizabeth T Montgomery; Kevin Smith; Kristine Torjesen; Ariane van der Straten; Sharon L Achilles; Jennifer B Griffin Journal: Contraception Date: 2021-10-10 Impact factor: 3.051