"I felt special!": a qualitative study of peer-delivered HIV self-tests, STI self-sampling kits and PrEP for transgender women in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Peer delivery is a client-centred approach that could maximize the coverage and impact of HIV services for transgender women (TGW). We conducted qualitative interviews to examine how peer-delivered HIV self-testing (HIVST), sexually transmitted infection self-sampling (STISS) and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) influenced prevention choices among TGW and their intimate partners in Uganda. METHODS: Within a cluster randomized trial of peer-delivered HIVST, STISS and PrEP among HIV-negative TGW (NCT04328025), we conducted 55 qualitative interviews with 30 TGW, 15 intimate partners and 10 TGW peers (August 2021-February 2022). TGW interviews explored: (1) HIV self-test and PrEP experiences; (2) HIVST with intimate partners; and (3) descriptions of self-sampling for STI testing. Partner interviews covered: (1) experiences with HIVST; (2) disclosure of HIV status to intimate partner; and (3) descriptions of sexual behaviours after testing. Peer interview topics included: (1) intervention delivery experiences; and (2) recommendations for peer-delivered HIV prevention services to TGW, including psychological support and coping strategies. Qualitative data were analysed using an inductive content analytic approach. RESULTS: Peer-delivered combination prevention was valued by this group of TGW and their partners. (1) Peer services extended beyond delivering HIV/STI kits and PrEP refills to caring for individual health and wellbeing by providing stigma coping strategies. Peer psychosocial support empowered research participants to become "HIVST ambassadors," teach non-study TGW about self-testing and PrEP, and encourage linkage to care. (2) HIVST with intimate partners and mutual disclosure of HIV status strengthened partnered relationships. PrEP use after both partners tested HIV negative implied infidelity. (3) Self-sampling enabled TGW to take control of their STI testing and avoid the embarrassment of exposing their bodies. Privacy and confidentiality motivated the uptake of STI testing and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of TGW from Uganda, peer delivery of HIVST, STISS and PrEP refills benefitted individual prevention efforts and extended to a new linkage of TGW not engaged in care. Integrating peer services into differentiated PrEP delivery could increase HIV/STI test coverage and PrEP use in this vulnerable population.

Depression and PrEP uptake, interruption, and adherence among young women in Uganda.

Depression is a common cause of morbidity globally and can impact adherence to medications, posing challenges to medication-based HIV prevention. The objectives of this work are to describe the frequency of depression symptoms in a cohort of 499 young women in Kampala, Uganda and to determine the association of depression symptoms with use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Mild or greater depression, assessed by the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), was experienced by 34% of participants at enrollment. Participants with mild depression symptoms tended to uptake PrEP, request PrEP refills, and adhere to PrEP with similar frequency to women with no/minimal signs of depression. These findings highlight opportunities to leverage existing HIV prevention programs to identify women who may benefit from mental health services and may not otherwise be screened.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03464266..

Bone mineral density, nutrient intake, and physical activity among young women from Uganda.

Few studies have characterized bone mineral density (BMD) among health young African women. In our study of 496 Ugandan women age ≤25 years, we found that women had healthy BMD that were lower on average than the standard reference ranges. Reference ranges available for BMD measurements need greater precision. PURPOSE: Data describing bone mineral density (BMD), nutrient intake, and body composition among healthy, young women in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Using baseline data from a cohort of young, healthy Ugandan women, we summarize bone health and associated risk factors for reduced bone mass. METHODS: Using baseline data from Ugandan women ages 16-25 years who enrolled in an ongoing cohort study of bone health with concurrent use of injectable contraception and oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, we describe the distribution of BMD, nutrient intake, physical activity, and body composition. The association of low BMD (1 or more standard deviations below the age, sex, and race-matched reference range from the USA) and calcium intake, vitamin D intake, physical activity, and body composition was estimated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: In 496 healthy, Ugandan women with median age of 20 years (interquartile range [IQR] 19-21) and median fat:lean mass ratio of 0.55 (IQR 0.46-0.64), median lumbar spine and total hip BMD was 0.9g/cm2 (IQR 0.9-1.0) each. For lumbar spine, Z-score distributions were lower overall than the reference population and 9.3% and 36.3% of women had Z-score >2 and >1 standard deviations below the reference range, respectively. For total hip, Z-scores were similar to the reference population and 1.0% and 12.3% of women had Z-score >2 and >1 standard deviations below the reference range, respectively. In the week prior to enrollment, 41.1% of women consumed >7 servings of calcium, 56.5% had >7 servings of vitamin D, and 98.6% reported ≥2.5 h of physical activity. Having greater body fat was associated with greater frequency of low lumbar spine BMD (p<0.01 for fat:lean mass ratio, total body fat percentage, waist circumference, and BMI). CONCLUSION: Young Ugandan women exhibited healthy levels of BMD that were lower than the reference range population.

Health Care Worker Perspectives of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Service Delivery in Central Uganda.

Background: Scale-up of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services in Uganda is ongoing. However, health care workers (HCWs) may not be aware of PrEP nor what offering this service entails. We explored the impact of standardized HCW training on the knowledge and perspectives of PrEP service delivery in Uganda. Methods: We recruited HCWs from facilities that offered HIV-related services in Central Uganda. Using the Uganda Ministry of Health curriculum, we trained HCWs on PrEP services. We collected data about PrEP knowledge, preparedness, and willingness to deliver PrEP to multiple key populations before the training, immediately after the training, and >6 months later (exit). We additionally conducted 15 qualitative interviews after the exit survey. Quantitative data were analyzed by Fisher exact test, while qualitative interview data were analyzed inductively. Results: We recruited 80 HCWs from 35 facilities in urban (N = 24, 30%), peri-urban (N = 30, 37%), and rural (N = 26, 33%) areas. Most HCWs were nurse counselors (N = 52, 65%) or medical/clinical officers (N = 15, 18%). Surveys indicated that awareness of PrEP increased after the training and remained high. Knowledge of PrEP (i.e., as an effective, short-term antiretroviral medication to use before HIV exposure for people at high risk) generally increased with training, but significant gaps remained, and knowledge decreased with time. Most HCWs recommended PrEP for female sex workers and HIV serodifferent couples, as well as other key populations. We observed increases in the number of HCW who felt their facility was prepared to cater for HIV prevention and provide PrEP, but this view was not universal. HCWs believed in PrEP effectiveness and embraced it as an additional HIV prevention method. Concerns included patient adherence and behavioral risk compensation. HCWs noted challenges in PrEP delivery in terms of inadequate clinic preparedness, infrastructure, staff capacity, and poor attitudes toward key populations by untrained health workers. They felt further training was needed to ensure a smooth scale-up of services without stigmatization. Conclusions: Standardized training improved knowledge, willingness, and preparedness to offer PrEP services among most HCWs in Central Uganda. Ongoing training will be needed to optimize PrEP delivery services and expand delivery to levels needed for population-level impact.

Effect of HIV Self-Testing on PrEP Adherence Among Gender-Diverse Sex Workers in Uganda: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing (HIVST) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are complementary tools that could empower sex workers to control their HIV protection, but few studies have jointly evaluated PrEP and HIVST in any setting. METHODS: The Empower Study was an open-label randomized trial in Uganda. Sex workers were offered F/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and randomized 1:1 to monthly HIVST and quarterly in-clinic testing (intervention) or quarterly in-clinic HIV testing alone (standard of care) and followed up for 12 months. PrEP adherence was measured using electronic adherence monitoring and tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels in dried blood spots. Adherence outcomes and sexual behaviors were compared by arm using generalized estimating equation models. RESULTS: We enrolled 110 sex workers: 84 cisgender women, 14 transgender women, 10 men who have sex with men, and 2 transgender men. The median age was 23 years. The 12-month retention was 75%. Nearly all (99.4%) used ≥1 HIVST kit. The proportion with TFV-DP levels ≥700 fmol/punch in the HIVST and standard of care arms at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month visits was 2.4%, 2.3%, 0%, and 0% and 7.9%, 0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, with no differences by randomization arm (P > 0.2). Self-reported condomless sex acts with paying partners was similar by arm [adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42 to 1.17; P = 0.18]. One seroconversion occurred (HIV incidence, 0.9/100 person-years); TFV-DP was not detected at any visit. CONCLUSIONS: A gender-diverse sample of sex workers in Uganda used HIVST but not daily oral PrEP for HIV protection. Alternate approaches to promote PrEP use, including long-acting formulations, should be considered in this population.

"You are not a man": a multi-method study of trans stigma and risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among trans men in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Transgender (trans) men in sub-Saharan Africa are a hidden and vulnerable population who may engage in sex work due to socio-economic exclusion and lack of alternative employment opportunities. Little is known about HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk among trans men in this setting. We conducted a multi-method study to characterize HIV/STI risk among trans men in Uganda. METHODS: Between January and October 2020, we enrolled 50 trans men into a cross-sectional study through snowball sampling. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual practices and depression. We conducted 20 qualitative interviews to explore: (1) descriptions of sexual practices that could increase HIV/STI exposure; (2) experiences of accessing public healthcare facilities; (3) perceptions of HIV or STI testing; (4) HIV and STI service delivery; and (5) drug and alcohol use. We used an inductive content analytic approach centring on descriptive category development to analyse the data. RESULTS: The median age was 25 years (interquartile range 23-28). The prevalence of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B was 4%, 6% and 8%, respectively. We observed multiple levels of intersecting individual, interpersonal and structural stigmas. (1) Trans men reported transphobic rape motivated by interpersonal stigma that was psychologically traumatizing to the survivor. The resultant stigma and shame hindered healthcare access. (2) Structural stigma and economic vulnerability led to sex work, which increased the risk of HIV and other STIs. Sex work stigma further compounded vulnerability. (3) Individualized stigma led to fear of disclosure of gender identity and HIV status. Concealment was used as a form of stigma management. (4) Multiple levels of stigma hampered access to healthcare services. Preference for trans-friendly care was motivated by stigma avoidance in public facilities. Overall, the lived experiences of trans men highlight the intertwined relationship between stigma and sexual health. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample from Uganda, trans men experienced stigma at multiple levels, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive healthcare delivery. Stigma reduction interventions, including provider training, non-discrimination policies, support groups and stigma counselling, could strengthen uptake and utilization of prevention services by this marginalized population.

Knowledge and barriers of PrEP delivery among diverse groups of potential PrEP users in Central Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Scale-up of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in Uganda began with serodiscordant couples (SDC) and has expanded to other most at-risk populations (MARPs). We explored knowledge, acceptability, barriers and facilitators of PrEP use among potential PrEP users in four MARPs (SDC; men who have sex with men [MSM]; female sex workers [FSW], and fisher folk). METHODS: We administered quantitative surveys to potential PrEP users in multiple settings in Central Uganda at baseline and approximately 9 months after healthcare worker (HCW) training on PrEP. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 250 potential PrEP users at baseline and 125 after HCW training; 55 completed both surveys. For these 250 participants, mean age was 28.5 years (SD 6.9), 47% were male and 6% were transgender women, with approximately even distribution across MARPs and recruitment locations (urban, peri-urban, and rural). Most (65%) had not heard about PrEP. After HCW training, 24% of those sampled were aware of PrEP, and the proportion of those who accurately described PrEP as "antiretrovirals to be used before HIV exposure" increased from 54% in the baseline survey to 74% in the second survey (p<0.001). The proportion of participants who reported HCW as a source of PrEP information increased after training (59% vs 91%, p<0.001). In both surveys, nearly all participants indicated they were willing to take PrEP if offered. The most common anticipated barriers to PrEP were stigma, transportation, accessibility, busy schedules, and forgetfulness. Closeness to home was a common facilitator for all participant categories. CONCLUSIONS: Initial awareness of PrEP was low, but PrEP knowledge and interest increased among diverse MARPs after HCW training. Demand creation and HCW training will be critical for increasing PrEP awareness among key populations, with support to overcome barriers to PrEP use. These findings should encourage the acceleration of PrEP rollout in Uganda.