Publication Date
2021
Journal or Book Title
Journal of the International AIDS Society
Abstract
Introduction Antiretroviral-based HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is expanding in generalized epidemic settings, but additional prevention options are needed for individuals with periodic, high-risk sexual exposures. Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is recommended in global guidelines. However, in Africa, awareness of and access to PEP for sexual exposures are limited. We assessed feasibility, acceptability, uptake and adherence in a pilot study of a patient-centred PEP programme with options for facility- or community-based service delivery. Methods After population-level HIV testing with universal access to PrEP for persons at elevated HIV risk (SEARCH Trial:NCT01864603), we conducted a pilot PEP study in five rural communities in Kenya and Uganda between December 2018 and May 2019. We assessed barriers to PEP in the population and implemented an intervention to address these barriers, building on existing in-country PEP protocols. We used community leaders for sensitization. Test kits and medications were acquired through the Ministry of Health supply chain and healthcare providers based at the Ministry of Health clinics were trained on PEP delivery. Additional intervention components were (a)PEP availability seven days/week, (b)PEP hotline staffed by providers and (c)option for out-of-facility medication delivery. We assessed implementation using the Proctor framework and measured seroconversions via repeat HIV testing. Successful PEP completion was defined as self-reported adherence over four weeks of therapy with post-PEP HIV testing. Results Community leaders were able to sensitize and mobilize for PEP. The Ministry of Health supplied test kits and PEP medications; after training, healthcare providers delivered the 28-day regimen with high completion rates. Among 124 persons who sought PEP, 66% were female, 24% were <= 25 years and 42% were fisherfolk. Of these, 20% reported exposure with a serodifferent partner, 72% with a new or existing relationship and 7% from transactional sex. 12% of all visits were conducted at out-of-facility community-based sites; 35% of participants had >= 1 out-of-facility visit. No serious adverse events were reported. Overall, 85% met the definition of PEP completion. There were no HIV seroconversions. Conclusions Among individuals with elevated-risk exposures in rural East African communities, patient-centred PEP was feasible, acceptable and provides a promising addition to the current prevention toolkit.
ORCID
Balzer, Laura B./0000-0002-3730-410X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25670
Volume
24
Issue
6
License
UMass Amherst Open Access Policy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Funder
Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) [U01AI099959, UM1AI068636]; Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationBill & Melinda Gates Foundation; US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)United States Agency for International Development (USAID)United States Department of Health & Human ServicesCenters for Disease Control & Prevention - USA
Recommended Citation
Ayieko, James; Petersen, Maya L.; Kabami, Jane; Mwangwa, Florence; Opel, Fred; Nyabuti, Marilyn; Charlebois, Edwin D.; Peng, James; Koss, Catherine A.; and Balzer, Laura B., "Uptake and Outcomes of a Novel Community-Based HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Programme in Rural Kenya and Uganda" (2021). Biostatistics and Epidemiology Faculty Publications Series.
24(6),
https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25670