Factors Associated With Interest in HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men and Women in Kisumu County, Kenya: A Secondary Analysis of the RV393 Cohort Study.

Abstract

Abstract: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) decreases HIV acquisition, but uptake in sub-Saharan Africa is suboptimal. We identified correlates of PrEP interest among men and women at risk for HIV in Kisumu County, Kenya, to inform tailored interventions to prevent HIV. Between February 2017 and August 2021, 389 participants answered questions about PrEP interest. Of these, 53.7% were female, 72.2% were single, 55.5% completed secondary education, and 37.5% reported previous sex work. Their median age was 24 years. Overall, 45.8% expressed interest in PrEP and 18.0% reported previous PrEP use. Key correlates of PrEP interest included transactional sex, overnight travel, knowing someone in their social network taking PrEP, and belief in PrEP's efficacy. These findings highlight the importance of addressing behavioral and social drivers of PrEP interest. Efforts to increase PrEP awareness through social networks, emphasize PrEP efficacy, and tailor interventions toward people with high mobility and transactional sex may enhance uptake in high-burden regions.