Understanding PrEP Acceptability Among Priority Populations: Results from a Qualitative Study of Potential Users in Central Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AIDS and Behavior
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.
Description
Keywords
exposure prophylaxis, HIV prevention, Priority populations, Scale-up
Citation
Sundararajan, R., Wyatt, M. A., Muwonge, T. R., Pisarski, E. E., Mujugira, A., Haberer, J. E., & Ware, N. C. (2022). Understanding PrEP acceptability among priority populations: results from a qualitative study of potential users in central Uganda. AIDS and Behavior, 26(8), 2676-2685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03606-8