Research Scientist
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Kisumu, Kenya
ABSTRACT:
Doxycycline Post Exposure Prophylaxis (dPEP) is a novel primary sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention strategy that could reduce the high prevalence of bacterial STIs among populations of people using HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). This strategy has demonstrated efficacy in preventing chlamydia and syphilis among different populations of men who have sex with men (MSM), and is currently being evaluated for efficacy in other populations of people at substantial risk of sexually transmitted infections in various geographical settings. Clinical Trial Results alone are however, insufficient for new innovations to be adopted into normative guidelines as they often do not have desired impact due to unanticipated factors such as the clinical and policy readiness for such innovations in settings where they are planned for implementation.
We conducted a series of in-depth interviews with Kenyan STI & HIV policymakers, HIV PrEP providers, and HIV PrEP users to assess their sexual health concerns, perspectives around the use of dPEP for STI prevention, readiness and willingness to support dPEP’s introduction into HIV programs, and the important steps in influencing policy change and attaining desired impact.
In this panel, we will highlight the role of people and bodies considered to be credible sources of knowledge in shaping how policymakers, healthcare providers and PrEP users make decisions on whether to adopt an innovation or not, and highlight the key considerations in maximizing the intended impact of an innovation such as dPEP when adopted into normative guidelines.
These insights are timely and important next steps to consider before integrating an STI prevention innovation like dPEP into HIV preventions programs to improve the sexual health of PrEP users in Kenya and other similar settings in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
15:15 – 15:35 CST