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Talking about PrEP - South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s communication about pre-exposure prophylaxis with partners, parents and peers

Talking about PrEP - South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s communication about pre-exposure prophylaxis with partners, parents and peers

Talking about PrEP

Talking about PrEP - South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s communication about pre-exposure prophylaxis with partners, parents and peers

Summary

  • In response to the persistently high HIV prevalence among South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), HIV prevention programmes have prioritised providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to this population. However, PrEP uptake and adherence among AGYW is challenging.
  • Effective communication about PrEP with partners, parents and peers increases PrEP initiation and improves adherence.
  • This qualitative study found that the barriers to effective communication included limited information about PrEP and PrEP-related stigma, particularly fears that when discussing PrEP, one would be perceived as being sexually active and promiscuous.
  • PrEP education and promotion campaigns should be implemented to educate communities, parents, boys, men and AGYW’s peers about PrEP, and to raise awareness and promote effective communication about PrEP between AGYW and their partners, parents and peers.

View or download the complete Research Brief: Talking about PrEP - South African Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s communication about pre-exposure prophylaxis with partners, parents and peers.