| Description | Women remain highly vulnerable to HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, with female sex workers (FSWs) facing some of the highest
rates of HIV. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to reduce new infections among populations at highest risk and
end-user perspectives of actual use in 'real-world' settings are critical to informing PrEP implementation. This paper presents findings
from serial in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted with FSW participants during the course of the Treatment And Prevention for Sex
workers (TAPS) Demonstration Project in South Africa, exploring the lived experiences and perceptions of taking up and using PrEP.
This research provides insight into risks and responsibilities facing FSWs perceived as prominent drivers in taking up and using
PrEP, how PrEP was adopted to mitigate risk or ameliorate realities, and the characteristics of PrEP most valued, all of which are
critical to consider in scale-up. Overall, distrust in the existence and/or efficacy of PrEP affected the motivation of women to come to
the clinic and to maintain use. As one of the first reports of PrEP use among FSWs outside of a clinical trial setting, this research
shows that it will be important to ensure accurate, relevant, and widespread messaging in communities to generate demand and
support for PrEP. | en_US |
