How gender norms and 'good girl' notions prevent adolescent girls and young women from engaging with PrEP: qualitative insights from Zimbabwe.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, has been hailed for its promise to provide women with user-control. However, gender-specific challenges undermining PrEP use are beginning to emerge. We explore the role of gender norms in shaping adolescent girls and young women's (AGYW) engagement with PrEP.

Methods

We draw on qualitative data from 12 individual interviews and three focus group discussions with AGYW from eastern Zimbabwe. Interviews were transcribed and thematically coded in NVivo 12. Emerging themes were further investigated using Connell's notion of 'emphasised femininity'.

Results

Participants alluded to the patriarchal society they are part of, with 'good girl' notions subjecting them to direct and indirect social control. These controls manifest the

SUBMITTER: Skovdal M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9379870 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature