Retention of clients in HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis care in Engela, Namibia
Background: Namibia has made tremendous progress in controlling the HIV epidemic. The progress has resulted in significant incidence and AIDS-related mortality reductions. However, new infections continue to persist. Aim: The study aimed to measure the clients’ retention rate in pre-exposure prophy...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-06-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4806 |
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| Summary: | Background: Namibia has made tremendous progress in controlling the HIV epidemic. The progress has resulted in significant incidence and AIDS-related mortality reductions. However, new infections continue to persist.
Aim: The study aimed to measure the clients’ retention rate in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care and associated factors.
Setting: Engela District, in Namibia’s Ohangwena region.
Methods: We chose an analytical cross-sectional study design for this study. We selected 275 participants using a proportional stratified random sampling method. We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. We employed Chi-square tests and logistic regression for data analysis.
Results: Participants’ retention rate in PrEP care at 3 months was 35.6%, 95% CI (35.2% – 36.0%). Binomial logistic regression showed that men and the unemployed were less likely to be retained in PrEP, crude odds ratio (OR) = 0.52, 95% CI (0.30–0.91), and OR = 0.27, 95% CI (0.15–0.49), respectively. Participants who were divorced or in a relationship were also less likely to be retained in PrEP care, OR = 0.41, 95% CI (0.18–0.96), and OR = 0.43 95% CI (0.23 – 0.80), respectively. Furthermore, participants at Engela District Hospital were less likely to be retained in PrEP care, OR = 0.52, 95% CI (0.29 -0.93).
Conclusion: Addressing the specific challenges unemployed individuals face in continuing on PrEP is crucial. Strategies should include decentralising PrEP services in the district and employing community-based models.
Contribution: In addition, comprehensive PrEP education targeting men should be provided in diverse settings to improve their PrEP knowledge. |
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| ISSN: | 2071-2928 2071-2936 |