Understanding the barriers to PrEP uptake

While formulating PrEP strategies, it is imperative that we, the HIV/AIDS prevention community, take into account the target community's concerns. By understanding the possible barriers and coming up with solutions, we can help ensure maximum possible effectiveness.

As per the findings of a study conducted in Peru and published in the International Journal of STD and AIDS, significant barriers among at-risk groups include concerns about cost, efficacy, and side-effects. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from UCLA and Lima, Peru; it included female sex workers, male-to-female transgendered individuals, and MSM.

To know more, check out aidsmap's round-up of the study here and EurekAlert!'s detailed article here.

On a related note, the Mapping Pathways project is also in the process of trying to gather perspectives on these questions from folks in our current focus areas – the US, South Africa, and India. If you’re interested in new ways to prevent transmission of HIV – and want to help shape our project goals and deliverables – we encourage you to take a few minutes and fill in our survey.

Your efforts will be greatly appreciated!

Take the survey now.

[Content that is linked from other sources is for informational purposes and should not construe a Mapping Pathways position.]

HPTN 052: Responses, benefits and challenges

The HPTN 052 study's compelling interim results on "treatment as prevention" are eliciting strong reactions from various players in the HIV/AIDS prevention community. According to UNAIDS, "the breakthrough is a serious game-changer", and AVAC has stated that "the upcoming UN High Level Meeting on AIDS should set treatment and prevention targets that take the HPTN 052 results into account." Other have voiced concerns that the evidence may not be compelling enough for some segments; for instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, where most people remain untested, the methodology used in the HPTN 052 study may not be as effective as hoped.

There are other critical questions as well: How will we improve rates of diagnosis without coercion? How will governments and communities build the capacity to treat people with HIV promptly and effectively? What are the cost implications?

A few days ago, aidsmap published an excellent article, tackling these issues and concerns. To read more about the reactions, the possible benefits, the challenges and proposed solutions, and the dollars-and-cents issues, click here.

Also, folks from the US, South Africa and India who are interested in new ways to prevent transmission of HIV – and want to help shape our project goals and deliverables – are highly encouraged to take a few minutes and fill in our survey.

Your efforts will be greatly appreciated!

Take the survey now.

[Content that is linked from other sources is for informational purposes and should not construe a Mapping Pathways position.]