Uganda PrEP and Harm Reduction Evaluation

Implementation Science Research on PrEP Delivery and Costing Within Harm Reduction Services for People Who Use Drugs in Uganda

This is an evaluation of programs to integrate PrEP into existing services for PWUD. PrEP will be delivered according to Uganda national guidelines and data from national monitoring and evaluation forms will be leveraged to address key outcomes. Additionally, research components will be implemented to support greater understanding of PrEP use and experiences of participants engaged with the PrEP programs.

The first facility-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program (with methadone) in Kampala launched in 2020, providing opportunity to integrate pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package. Additionally, a community-based needle and syringe exchange program (NSP) provides opportunity to integrate PrEP and meet priorities of PWID while building rapport between providers and end-users. With two different service models - integrating PrEP into facility-based MAT and community-based NSP - there is a great opportunity to optimize the integration of PrEP and other HIV prevention services for PWUD. By integrating PrEP into two existing programs (MAT and NSP), this study will determine uptake and persistence of PrEP use and leverage these programs to conduct costing research and budget impact analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Accessing services from any of the programs implementing the integrated PrEP program described in this protocol
• Able and willing to provide informed consent
• Age ≥15 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any clinical or chronic medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator would make the participant unsuitable for the study or unable to independently provide informed consent.