{"title":"Retention of clients in HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis care in Engela, Namibia.","authors":"Kristiana Kosmas, Enos Moyo, Mbuzeleni Hlongwa, Perseverance Moyo, Tafadzwa Dzinamarira, Anna Shilunga","doi":"10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4806","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong> Namibia has made tremendous progress in controlling the HIV epidemic. The progress has resulted in significant incidence and AIDS-related mortality reductions. However, new infections continue to persist.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong> The study aimed to measure the clients' retention rate in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care and associated factors.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong> Engela District, in Namibia's Ohangwena region.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong> We chose an analytical cross-sectional study design for this study. We selected 275 participants using a proportional stratified random sampling method. We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. We employed Chi-square tests and logistic regression for data analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong> Participants' retention rate in PrEP care at 3 months was 35.6%, 95% CI (35.2% - 36.0%). Binomial logistic regression showed that men and the unemployed were less likely to be retained in PrEP, crude odds ratio (OR) = 0.52, 95% CI (0.30-0.91), and OR = 0.27, 95% CI (0.15-0.49), respectively. Participants who were divorced or in a relationship were also less likely to be retained in PrEP care, OR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.18-0.96), and OR = 0.43 95% CI (0.23 - 0.80), respectively. Furthermore, participants at Engela District Hospital were less likely to be retained in PrEP care, OR = 0.52, 95% CI (0.29 -0.93).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong> Addressing the specific challenges unemployed individuals face in continuing on PrEP is crucial. Strategies should include decentralising PrEP services in the district and employing community-based models.Contribution: In addition, comprehensive PrEP education targeting men should be provided in diverse settings to improve their PrEP knowledge.</p>","PeriodicalId":47037,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","volume":"17 1","pages":"e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12223995/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4806","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PRIMARY HEALTH CARE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Namibia has made tremendous progress in controlling the HIV epidemic. The progress has resulted in significant incidence and AIDS-related mortality reductions. However, new infections continue to persist.
Aim: The study aimed to measure the clients' retention rate in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care and associated factors.
Setting: Engela District, in Namibia's Ohangwena region.
Methods: We chose an analytical cross-sectional study design for this study. We selected 275 participants using a proportional stratified random sampling method. We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. We employed Chi-square tests and logistic regression for data analysis.
Results: Participants' retention rate in PrEP care at 3 months was 35.6%, 95% CI (35.2% - 36.0%). Binomial logistic regression showed that men and the unemployed were less likely to be retained in PrEP, crude odds ratio (OR) = 0.52, 95% CI (0.30-0.91), and OR = 0.27, 95% CI (0.15-0.49), respectively. Participants who were divorced or in a relationship were also less likely to be retained in PrEP care, OR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.18-0.96), and OR = 0.43 95% CI (0.23 - 0.80), respectively. Furthermore, participants at Engela District Hospital were less likely to be retained in PrEP care, OR = 0.52, 95% CI (0.29 -0.93).
Conclusion: Addressing the specific challenges unemployed individuals face in continuing on PrEP is crucial. Strategies should include decentralising PrEP services in the district and employing community-based models.Contribution: In addition, comprehensive PrEP education targeting men should be provided in diverse settings to improve their PrEP knowledge.