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Bärnighausen K, Matse S, Hughey AB, Hettema A, Bärnighausen TW, McMahon SA. "We know this will be hard at the beginning, but better in the long term": understanding PrEP uptake in the general population in Eswatini. AIDS Care 2019; 32:267-273. [PMID: 31437021 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1653437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Information regarding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the general population is largely lacking, because the majority of PrEP demonstration projects have focused on key populations. This qualitative study examines barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake and adherence among the general population in Eswatini, where PrEP is offered through public-sector primary-care clinics. We analysed 106 semi-structured in-depth interviews with healthcare workers (n = 26), stakeholders (n = 30), and clients who initiated, continued, declined or discontinued PrEP (n = 50). Some healthcare workers and stakeholders feared that PrEP would reduce condom use and cause drug resistance, while some clients feared possible side effects and the reaction of family members when learning of PrEP use. At the same time, respondents across all groups valued that PrEP could be taken without partner knowledge or consent, and that PrEP was available via public sector clinics. Clients felt that PrEP relieved the fear of HIV infection and thus bolstered enjoyment during sex. Overall, respondents described the general population approach to PrEP delivery as enabling and life-improving, despite the above concerns. Respondents recommended to create community PrEP promotion and delivery, gain community leaders' approval and understanding of PrEP, shorten the PrEP initiation process, and target men and adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Bärnighausen
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sindy Matse
- Eswatini Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Anita Hettema
- Clinton Health Access Initiative Eswatini, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Till W Bärnighausen
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Harvard T.H. Chang School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shannon A McMahon
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Koester KA, Erguera XA, Kang Dufour MS, Udoh I, Burack JH, Grant RM, Myers JJ. "Losing the Phobia:" Understanding How HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Facilitates Bridging the Serodivide Among Men Who Have Sex With Men. Front Public Health 2018; 6:250. [PMID: 30238001 PMCID: PMC6135985 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of HIV serostatus information has played a pivotal role in partner selection norms. A phenomenon known as serosorting is the practice of selecting a partner based on a perception that they are of the same HIV status in order to avoid transmission from one partner to the other. An understudied aspect of serosorting is that it has a divisive effect-one accepts or rejects a potential partner based on a singular characteristic, the partner's HIV status, and thus excludes all others. This division has been formally referred to as the HIV serodivide. In this study, we explored partner selection strategies among a group of HIV-negative, young men who have sex with men (n = 29) enrolled in a PrEP demonstration project in Northern California. We found that trends in serosorting were in fact shifting, and that a new and opposite phenomenon was emerging, something we labeled "seromixing" and that PrEP use played a part in why norms were changing. We present three orientations in this regard: (1) maintaining the phobia: in which men justified the continued vigilance and exclusion of people living with HIV as viable sex or romantic partners, (2) loosening/relaxation of phobia: among men who were reflecting on their stance on serosorting and its implications for future sexual and/or romantic partnerships, and (3) losing the phobia: among men letting go of serosorting practices and reducing sentiments of HIV-related stigma. The majority of participants spoke of changing or changed attitudes about intentionally accepting rather than rejecting a person living with HIV as a sex partner. For those who maintained strict serosorting practices, their understandings of HIV risk were not erased as a result of PrEP use. These overarching themes help explain how PrEP use is contributing to a closing of the HIV serodivide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A Koester
- Division of Prevention Science, Center for AIDS Prevention Research, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Xavier A Erguera
- Division of Prevention Science, Center for AIDS Prevention Research, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mi-Suk Kang Dufour
- Division of Prevention Science, Center for AIDS Prevention Research, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ifeoma Udoh
- East Bay AIDS Center, Sutter Health, Oakland, CA, United States
| | | | - Robert M Grant
- Virology and Immunology, Gladstone Institutes, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Janet J Myers
- Division of Prevention Science, Center for AIDS Prevention Research, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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