Community Perceptions About Use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Kenya
Outcomes: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Community norms strongly influence adolescent girls’ and young women’s (AGYW) use of PrEP in Kenya. Stigma around sexuality and misconceptions about PrEP—such as it being associated with promiscuity or HIV treatment—create social barriers to uptake. These norms discourage AGYW from seeking out PrEP, particularly in environments where conversations about sex are taboo. Normalizing PrEP through alternative delivery channels and community-wide sensitization is key to addressing these challenges.
Objectives The study aimed to explore community perceptions of PrEP use among AGYW in Kenya to inform strategies for improving PrEP uptake and adherence.
Methods Researchers conducted four focus group discussions with 26 Community Advisory Board (CAB) members in three counties involved in PrEP implementation programs. Participants included representatives from healthcare, education, youth, women’s groups, religion, and government. Thematic analysis was used to identify community-level factors influencing PrEP use.
Intervention Details The study was situated within two programs: PrIYA (PrEP Implementation for Young Women and Adolescents), which integrated PrEP into maternal and child health (MCH) and family planning (FP) clinics, and PrIMA (PrEP Implementation for Mothers in Antenatal Care), a cluster-randomized trial evaluating PrEP delivery in MCH settings.
Results Three key themes emerged: (1) AGYW have low awareness of PrEP and face widespread misinformation (e.g., PrEP causes infertility or must be taken for life); (2) stigma surrounds PrEP use, with AGYW perceived as sexually promiscuous or HIV-positive; and (3) access barriers include fear of HIV testing, lack of youth-friendly services, and judgmental healthcare workers. Participants suggested delivering PrEP through less stigmatized services (e.g., FP clinics), expanding community education, involving AGYW in policymaking, and training providers to offer nonjudgmental care.
Conclusions Harmful gender norms and misinformation are major barriers to PrEP use among AGYW. Addressing stigma, improving community awareness, and offering PrEP through trusted and accessible channels are critical to successful scale-up. Programs should include AGYW and community leaders in decision-making to ensure youth-friendly, norm-sensitive service delivery that empowers girls to protect their health.
Norms Addressed
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disclaimer: These summaries were generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and are based on the interpretation of source documents. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, there may be errors or omissions. Users are encouraged to consult the original documents for complete and authoritative information.