Abstract:
Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the usage of antiretroviral medications by HIV uninfected persons to prevent HIV. It has the potential to significantly reduce HIV
acquisition among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24 who have not
yet been exposed to HIV. The purpose of this study was to explore health care workers’
experiences on prescribing Pre-exposure prophylaxis to adolescent girls and young
woman at high risk of HIV in Windhoek. The objectives of the study were to explore
health care workers’ experiences to prescribing PrEP to adolescent girls and young
woman at high risk of HIV infections and to explore health care workers views on PrEP
delivery services among AGYW at public health centers. A qualitative, phenomenology
design was conducted at public health centers in Windhoek, Khomas region to explore
health care workers’ experiences to prescribing PrEP to adolescent girls and young
woman at high risk of HIV infections and explore their views on PrEP service delivery
among AGYW. Population of the study were nurses that are PrEP prescribers and health
centers contain of 58 nurses. Convenience sampling method was used to recruit nurses
into the study. A semi-structured interview guide was used as a data collection instrument.
Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Majority of HCWs indicated that
they promoted PrEP uptake among AGYW and were willing and comfortable with
prescribing Prep to AGYW. Few HCWs were not comfortable prescribing PrEP to
AGYW citing that it promotes the reduction in condom use. The study highlighted a need
to sensitize PrEP and sexual reproductive health for AGYW in all departments within the
health centers. PrEP introduction among AGYW requires more than solely training
HCWs on the clinical aspects of prescribing PrEP. It involves addressing HCWs’ biases
and preference regarding sexual health services to AGYW and preparing the health
facilities organization for the introduction of PrEP among AGYW. Furthermore, health
care workers need to conduct community health education to AGYW for them to develop
a culture of voluntarily visiting the health facility and request PrEP when the need arise.
Most importantly there is a need for health care workers to educate the community on
PrEP to reduce stigma based on PrEP initiation in the society
