Evaluation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for High Risk Adolescent Girls and Young Women

HIV Incidence in a Cohort of and Evaluation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for High Risk Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Urban Lilongwe, Central Malawi

To provide preliminary evidence about feasibility and acceptability of delivering PrEP to AGYW identified as potentially at high risk of HIV infection in Lilongwe city communities and two public facilities in Lilongwe, Malawi. The primary objective of the study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, tolerability and cost of delivering PrEP among high-risk AGYW aged 18-24 years and healthcare providers in urban Lilongwe. Secondary objectives are (i) to assess the program's ability to enroll and retain a PrEP cohort for one year and (ii) measure the incidence of HIV infection among high risk AGYW in urban Lilongwe among women who decline to enroll in the PrEP study (these will be offered enrollment in the HIV incidence study).

The main goal of the study is to provide preliminary evidence about feasibility and acceptability of delivering PrEP to AGYW identified as potentially at high risk of HIV infection in Lilongwe city communities and two public facilities in Lilongwe, Malawi. The primary objectives are to; determine HIV prevalence among all AGYW identified as potentially at high risk of HIV infection in urban Lilongwe; assess the HIV program's ability to enroll and retain the PrEP cohort for one year; assess participants' and providers' perceptions of the barriers and facilitators for providing PrEP to inform implementation of PrEP study and future interventions and assess the cost of PrEP delivery in the routine HIV program.

Secondary Objectives:

1. To measure annual HIV incidence in a prospective cohort of HIV-negative AGYW identified as potentially at high risk of HIV infection but declined to enroll in PrEP cohort study in urban Lilongwe.
2. To measure annual HIV incidence among HIV-negative AGYW who enrolled in PrEP cohort study in urban Lilongwe.
3. To determine risk factors for HIV in a cohort of AGYW recruited in the prospective cohort study

Inclusion Criteria:

Eligibility criteria for the cross-sectional study

• Female
• Consent to be counselled and tested for HIV
• Between 18 and 24 years old
• Ongoing HIV risk according to the risk Assessment guide
• Participated in the cross-sectional screening study or meets the eligibility criteria for the cross-sectional study
• Willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the HIV incidence study
• Accesses services at a mobile or fixed clinic in the defined catchment area
• Not planning to relocate in the next 12 months Eligibility criteria for the prospective PrEP for AGYW
• Participated in the cross-sectional study
• HIV-negative
• Answers yes to any two questions from the PrEP screening tool
• Willing and able to adhere to daily PrEP
• Willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the PrEP study
• Accesses services at a mobile or fixed clinic in the defined catchment area
• Not planning to relocate in the next 12 months

Eligibility criteria for focus group discussions for PrEP providers

• Provided PrEP for at least 3 months
• Trained nurse
• Orientated in PrEP and study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion criteria for the prospective HIV incidence phase

• HIV positive

Exclusion criteria for PrEP for AGYW

• Under 18 years or older than 24 years at enrollment (including AGYW aged 24 years at enrolment)
• Breastfeeding women
• Already taking oral or injectable PrEP through another study
• Current or past history of renal or liver disease
• Clients on multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) medications
• Signs of acute HIV infection. The client would be asked to return after 3 months for a re-evaluation
• FSW <35kg
• Known allergy to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and/or emtricitabine (FTC);
• Unwilling or unable to return for 3-monthly HIV testing, counselling and safety monitoring visits or planning to relocate to another geographic area during the period of the study.
• Blood creatinine clearance (Cr Cl) <60ml/min