Improving HIV Prevention Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Uganda

Purpose: The purpose of the project is to determine oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) preference among 14-24-year-old adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) at risk of HIV infection and to evaluate a peer support intervention aimed at improving uptake of and adherence to oral PrEP. Main Study Aims: i) To determine oral PrEP preference among 14-24-year-old AGYW at risk of HIV infection in Kampala, Uganda . ii) To evaluate a peer support intervention aimed at improving uptake of and adherence to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the only currently available biomedical HIV prevention method in Uganda. Study Objectives: i. To determine oral PrEP preference among 14-24-year-old AGYW in Kampala, Uganda, and determine factors associated with preference for oral PrEP. ii. To evaluate the effect of a peer support intervention on uptake of and adherence to oral PrEP among 14-24-year-old AGYW at risk of HIV infection in Kampala, Uganda. iii. To evaluate the effect of a peer support intervention aimed at improving oral PrEP uptake and adherence, on sexual behavior and reproductive health outcomes among AGYW in Kampala, Uganda. iv. To explore AGYW perceptions and experiences of the peer support intervention aimed at improving oral PrEP uptake and adherence. Design Objective 1: A retrospective cohort study of data collected from January 2019 to December 2020. Objectives 2-4: An individually randomized controlled trial with 1:1 randomization in the intervention and control arms. Population: 14-24-year old AGYW at risk of HIV infection in Kampala. Control arm: Standard health worker counselling during clinic visits. Intervention arm: Standard health worker counselling and peer support groups over the weekend.