Establishing a Pharmacy-Based Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Program for Young Women Who Sell Sex: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sex workers (SWs) are at risk of acquiring HIV infections. Despite this, SWs have low uptake of relevant preventive measures, such as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Community-based programs that make PrEP convenient and accessible have the potential to drive PrEP continuation and reduce HIV risk.

Objective

This study aims to describe the co-development and piloting of the Together Optimizing PrEP Access in Zimbabwe (TOPAZ) intervention-where SWs have the opportunity to access PrEP refills through pharmacies in Zimbabwe.

Methods

Using a participatory process, the TOPAZ intervention will be collaboratively developed with pharmacy owners and SWs. TOPAZ comprises the provision of safe and convenient spaces for PrEP refill pickups bundled with a gift vouch

SUBMITTER: Kuguyo O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12712568 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature