Perceptions of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among men living with HIV in the context of reproductive goals in South Africa: a qualitative study

Xolani Ntinga; Oluwaseyi O Isehunwa; Lindani I Msimango; Patricia M Smith; Lynn T Matthews; Alastair Van Heerden

doi:10.1186/s12889-024-18118-4

Perceptions of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among men living with HIV in the context of reproductive goals in South Africa: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health. 2024 Feb 22;24(1):553. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18118-4.

Authors

Xolani Ntinga¹, Oluwaseyi O Isehunwa², Lindani I Msimango³, Patricia M Smith², Lynn T Matthews², Alastair Van Heerden^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa. xntinga@hsrc.ac.za.
² Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
³ Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa.
⁴ SAMRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Abstract

Background: Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Treatment as Prevention (TasP) are effective strategies to prevent HIV transmission within serodifferent couples. However, limited usage of PrEP, knowledge and interest has been amongst the barriers for men, alongside testing and treatment adherence. We explored the perceptions of PreP for HIV prevention with Men living with HIV (MWH) who have reproductive goals, to understand awareness and experiences related to PrEP use in the context of HIV prevention with their partners.

Methods: We undertook a qualitative study with 25 MWH aged 18 to 65 between April and September 2021 in South Africa. Potential participants were screened for eligibility and scheduled to participate in telephonic interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed.

Results: Themes were organized into opportunities and barriers that men with HIV articulate as important for using PrEP to meet individual, couple, and community reproductive goals. At the individual level, some men were willing to discuss PrEP with their partners to protect their partners and babies from acquiring HIV. Lack of knowledge about PrEP among men was a potential barrier to promoting PrEP among their female partners. At the couple level, PrEP use was seen as a way to strengthen relationships between partners, signifying care, trust, and protection and was seen as a tool to help serodifferent couples meet their reproductive goals safely. At the community level, PrEP was viewed as a tool to promote HIV testing and prevention efforts, especially among men, but participants emphasized the need for more education and awareness.

Conclusion: Despite PrEP implementation in South Africa, awareness of PrEP among men with HIV in rural areas remains low. Engaging MWH to support their partners in accessing PrEP could be an innovative strategy to promote HIV prevention. Additionally, providing men with comprehensive reproductive health information can empower them to make more informed decisions, adopt safer sexual practices, and challenge societal norms and stigmas around HIV.

Keywords: HIV prevention; Men living with HIV (MWH); Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); Reproductive goals; Reproductive health; Serodifferent couples.

MeSH terms

Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
Female
Goals
HIV Infections* / drug therapy
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
Humans
Male
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
Sexual Partners
South Africa

Substances

Anti-HIV Agents