Lawrence Owino, Jason Johnson-Peretz, Joi Lee, Monica Getahun, Dana Coppock-Pector, Irene Maeri, Anjeline Onyango, Craig R Cohen, Elizabeth A Bukusi, Jane Kabami, James Ayieko, Maya Petersen, Moses R Kamya, Edwin Charlebois, Diane Havlir, Carol S Camlin
Understanding risk perception and risk-taking among youth can inform targeted prevention efforts. Using a health beliefs model-informed framework, we analysed 8 semi-structured, gender-specific focus group discussions with 93 youth 15-24 years old (48% male, 52% female), drawn from the SEARCH trial in rural Kenya and Uganda in 2017-2018, coinciding with the widespread introduction of PrEP. Highly connected social networks and widespread uptake of antiretrovirals shaped youth HIV risk perception. Amid conflicting information about HIV prevention methods, youth felt exposed to multiple HIV risk factors like the high prevalence of HIV, belief that people with HIV(PWH) purposefully infect others, dislike of condoms, and doubts about PrEP efficacy...
2024: PLOS Glob Public Health