COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini
Background: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uses antiretroviral medication to reduce HIV risk in HIV-negative individuals. Despite its effectiveness, global uptake faces policy and accessibility challenges. In Eswatini, PrEP introduction in 2017 showed promise despite stigma and COVID-19 disrup...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-12-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4685 |
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| author | Musa B. Ginindza Nondumiso Ncube Renier Coetzee |
| author_facet | Musa B. Ginindza Nondumiso Ncube Renier Coetzee |
| author_sort | Musa B. Ginindza |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uses antiretroviral medication to reduce HIV risk in HIV-negative individuals. Despite its effectiveness, global uptake faces policy and accessibility challenges. In Eswatini, PrEP introduction in 2017 showed promise despite stigma and COVID-19 disruptions.
Aim: This study compared PrEP uptake and retention during and after COVID-19.
Setting and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among clients accessing HIV testing services in selected Eswatini facilities. Data from the HIV testing register, PrEP register, and Client Management Information System (CMIS) were analysed. Uptake, retention, and client outcomes were measured during COVID-19 (March 2020–March 2021) and post-COVID-19 (April 2021–April 2022).
Results: Of 5286 clients, 45% (n = 2380) initiated PrEP during COVID-19, while 55% (n = 2906) initiated post-pandemic. Facility 3 had the highest initiations during COVID-19 (844), while Facility 5 had the lowest (7). Retention was lower among clients aged 15–29 years. Females initially showed higher retention odds (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50), but this was insignificant after adjusting for confounders. Clients initiated post-COVID-19 had higher retention odds (OR: 2.96).
Conclusion: COVID-19 impacted PrEP uptake in Eswatini, emphasising the need for flexible healthcare delivery. Targeted campaigns and tailored interventions are crucial for sustaining HIV prevention efforts and addressing demographic shifts.
Contribution: This study highlights the importance of responsive healthcare systems and tailored approaches to maintaining HIV prevention during public health crises. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-87a47dff02c14d61b738aa6473d2e4cd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2071-2928 2071-2936 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-87a47dff02c14d61b738aa6473d2e4cd2025-01-14T12:13:43ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine2071-29282071-29362024-12-01161e1e610.4102/phcfm.v16i1.46851214COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in EswatiniMusa B. Ginindza0Nondumiso Ncube1Renier Coetzee2School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape TownSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape TownSchool of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape TownBackground: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uses antiretroviral medication to reduce HIV risk in HIV-negative individuals. Despite its effectiveness, global uptake faces policy and accessibility challenges. In Eswatini, PrEP introduction in 2017 showed promise despite stigma and COVID-19 disruptions. Aim: This study compared PrEP uptake and retention during and after COVID-19. Setting and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among clients accessing HIV testing services in selected Eswatini facilities. Data from the HIV testing register, PrEP register, and Client Management Information System (CMIS) were analysed. Uptake, retention, and client outcomes were measured during COVID-19 (March 2020–March 2021) and post-COVID-19 (April 2021–April 2022). Results: Of 5286 clients, 45% (n = 2380) initiated PrEP during COVID-19, while 55% (n = 2906) initiated post-pandemic. Facility 3 had the highest initiations during COVID-19 (844), while Facility 5 had the lowest (7). Retention was lower among clients aged 15–29 years. Females initially showed higher retention odds (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50), but this was insignificant after adjusting for confounders. Clients initiated post-COVID-19 had higher retention odds (OR: 2.96). Conclusion: COVID-19 impacted PrEP uptake in Eswatini, emphasising the need for flexible healthcare delivery. Targeted campaigns and tailored interventions are crucial for sustaining HIV prevention efforts and addressing demographic shifts. Contribution: This study highlights the importance of responsive healthcare systems and tailored approaches to maintaining HIV prevention during public health crises.https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4685primary carehivpre-exposure prophylaxiscovid-19eswatiniretentionpandemicpublic healthprevention. |
| spellingShingle | Musa B. Ginindza Nondumiso Ncube Renier Coetzee COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine primary care hiv pre-exposure prophylaxis covid-19 eswatini retention pandemic public health prevention. |
| title | COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini |
| title_full | COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini |
| title_short | COVID-19 impact on HIV PrEP uptake and retention at selected health facilities in Eswatini |
| title_sort | covid 19 impact on hiv prep uptake and retention at selected health facilities in eswatini |
| topic | primary care hiv pre-exposure prophylaxis covid-19 eswatini retention pandemic public health prevention. |
| url | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4685 |
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