Fostering access to PrEP among adolescent girls and young women aged 16 to 24 years at high risk of HIV through the DREAMS initiative in four districts in Zambia

Details

• Alternative Title:
  AIDS Educ Prev
• Personal Author:
  Chipukuma, Julian ; Lindsay, Brianna ; Mwango, Linah ; Olowski, Pawel ; Baumhart, Caitlin ; Tembo, Kalima ; Olufunso, Adebayo ; Bwale, Christine ; Makasa, Priscilla ; Muchoka, Monde ; Tembo, Salina ; Mbokile, Waitolo ; Panda, Comfort ; Malupande, Siphiwe ; Lubinda, Richard ; Bwembelo, Brenda ; Fundulu, Everess ; Munsongo, Chimpinde ; Watala, Kelvin ; Musonda, Bupe ; Chituwo, Omega ; Okuku, Jackson ; Mwila, Annie ; Muleya, Carlos ; Patel, Pragna ; Claassen, Cassidy W.
• Description:
  Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa remain at high risk for HIV, yet limited data exist on implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for this group. We examined PrEP uptake among AGYW using a retrospective cohort enrolled in the Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS-free Mentored Safe (DREAMS) initiative in Zambia between October 2020 and March 2022. Consent was obtained from eligible AGYW at substantial risk for HIV, and they voluntarily participated in PrEP. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with PrEP refills following initiation. Of 4,162 HIV-negative AGYW, 3,233 (77%) were at substantial risk and initiated on PrEP. Overall, 68% of AGYW had at least one refill, but this differed significantly by age group and district. DREAMS was successful at reaching AGYW with PrEP services. More evidence is needed to assess reasons for discontinuation and to improve persistence for those with sustained HIV risk.
• Keywords:
  Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Adolescent AGYW Anti-HIV Agents DREAMS Female HIV Infections HIV Prevention Humans Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis PrEP Retrospective Studies Zambia

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• Source:
  AIDS Educ Prev. 35:52-66
• Pubmed ID:
  37406141
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC10764235
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/ ; U2G GH000113/GH/CGH CDC HHSUnited States/ ; PEPFAR/PEPFARUnited States/
• Volume:
  35
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:32486fa3462cd9bd056c6b62a932a431fa22bc17b5a26ee1b914fc0b3599b978
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/140531/cdc_140531_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 724.75 KB ]