Young women’s lived experiences of using PrEP in Namibia: A qualitative phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: Young women are more likely to acquire Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) than other population groups. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is using antiretroviral medicines by HIV-negative individuals before HIV exposure to avert HIV infection. Various conditions may influence women’s decisions to initiate and continue PrEP. Objective: This study aimed to explore young women’s lived experiences using PrEP in the Rundu district, Namibia. Method: Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with nine young women between 21 and 24 years who had experience of current or previous use of PrEP and attended at least one follow-up visit after commencing PrEP. Colaizzi’s seven-step process of qualitative data analysis was used to analyse data. Findings: Young women were aware of their risk of acquiring HIV, prompting them to use PrEP. These risks included a lack of awareness of their partner’s HIV status, a lack of trust in their partners, or being in a sexual relationship with a partner living with HIV. Awareness also emanated from information provided by healthcare workers, peers and the media. Using PrEP empowered young women for self-care by enabling them to make choices about managing their risk. Some women persisted using PrEP despite several challenges, including the lack of privacy, stigma and inadequate support. Conclusion: PrEP is an empowering HIV prevention strategy for young women; however, much still needs to be done to promote young women’s willingness to initiate and continue PrEP.

Keywords

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• HIV prevention
• Lived experiences
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis
• Young women