Campus healthcare workers’ knowledge and views on injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis prior to rollout in South Africa

A qualitative study

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19592593
AutoresNomvuselelo Nomzamo Mbatha (0009-0004-5622-1328, Durban University of Technology, autor correspondente), Nomakhosi Mpofana (0000-0002-3007-1147, Durban University of Technology), Dumile Gumede (0000-0001-8739-6033, Durban University of Technology)
EditoresHenry Zakumumpa (0000-0002-8169-1151)
Ano2026
Volume6
Fascículo5
Páginase0006423
Data de publicação2026-05-22
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
EditoraPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0006423
PMID42172203
OpenAlexW7162135904
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas37

Long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers a promising alternative to daily oral PrEP by addressing adherence challenges. However, successful implementation depends on the readiness and perceptions of primary healthcare (PHC) workers who deliver these services, particularly in campus health clinics serving high-risk youth populations. The objective of this study was to explore PHC workers’ knowledge and views on long-acting injectable HIV PrEP in campus health clinics before its rollout in South Africa. We conducted a qualitative, exploratory, cross-sectional study using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 18 PHC workers from six campus health clinics at a public university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data were collected between August and September 2025, and were analyzed thematically using Babchuk’s 10-step process. PHC workers demonstrated limited and variable awareness of injectable PrEP across professional cadres. While participants anticipated improvements in HIV prevention through injectable PrEP regarding adherence and reducing stigma, they expressed confusion about the clinical protocol surrounding injectable PrEP rollout; however, they were hopeful, dependent on the demonstrated success of injectable PrEP. PHC workers currently lack the preparedness required for injectable PrEP delivery. To enable effective rollout, the government must prioritize comprehensive training on clinical and operational protocols

Confusion · Focus group · Government (linguistics) · Health care · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Preparedness · Public health · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment