Missed HIV prevention opportunities: the PrEP cascade among pregnant or parenting adolescent girls and young women in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pregnant or parenting adolescent girls and young women (PPYW) are at greater risk of sexual exposure to HIV than their peers, yet tailored HIV prevention efforts for PPYW remain limited.

Methods

We analysed cross-sectional data (2020-2023) from a sample of PPYW (median age 21.5, IQR = 20.3-22.5) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Results

Approximately 88% of PPYW who were HIV-negative (n = 646) had a HIV test in the last few years. Of these-58% knew about PrEP (n = 328). Of those who knew about PrEP, 31% had ever been offered PrEP (n = 100; 15% of HIV-negative PPYW), and 62% of those who were offered PrEP had ever taken PrEP (n = 62; 10% of HIV-negative PPYW). Compared to PPYW who have not had a HIV test in the last few years,

SUBMITTER: Chen-Charles J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12575254 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature