Browsing by Author "Estela Abera"

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    Opportunities and Challenges of Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Public Health Facilities, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2024- A Qualitative Study from Female Sex Workers And Service Providers Perspective
    (Addis Ababa University, 2024-06-15) Estela Abera; Endalew Gemechu
    Background: Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the administration of antiretroviral (ART) drugs to HIV negative individuals who are at high risk of acquisition of the virus which is a prevention strategy to minimize the new incidence of HIV among key populations like Female sex workers (FSWs). PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as prescribed. However, FSWs face significant challenges in utilizing this intervention but this condition is not explored in Ethiopia. Objectives: TO explore challenges and opportunities of HIV PrEP among FSWs in selected public health facilities Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2024. Methods: A qualitative exploratory method was employed to assess challenges and opportunities toward PrEP among purposely selected FSWs and PrEP service providers. A Semi structured in depth interview guide was used for the interview. We conducted fifteen individual interviews with FSWs and eight individual interviews with PrEP service providers from February 26-May 2, 2024. The deductive and inductive methods were both used to construct a thematic analysis manually. Results: The findings of this study revealed that FSWs face significant individual, family, community and institutional level challenges in utilization of PrEP services in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Major challenges include worried about taking PrEP on a regular basis, PrEP pill burden, concern about adverse and side effects which affected FSWs utilization of PrEP at individual level and perceived fear of family, sexual partner, friends and coworkers’ pressure and discrimination and in addition lack of community awareness were discussed as family and community level challenges. Furthermore, participants perceived obtaining professional services like PrEP condom and counseling free and promoting one’s health care seeking behavior and having control over their status as an opportunity which came with utilizing PrEP service Conclusion And Recommendations: The FSWs who use the PrEP medication encounter a number of opportunities as well as major problems. In order to address these issues and maximize the benefits of PrEP use, a multifaceted intervention by the health authorities and relevant stakeholders is required to increase FSW adherence and PrEP use. Keywords: HIV, PrEP, FSWs, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.