Open AccessPrEP Discontinuation and Prevention-Effective Adherence: Experiences of PrEP Users in Ugandan HIV Serodiscordant Couples
Author(s) -
Hannah Gilbert,
Monique A. Wyatt,
Emily E Pisarski,
Timothy R. Muwonge,
Renee Heffron,
Elly Katabira,
Connie Celum,
Jared M. Baeten,
Jessica Haberer,
Norma C. Ware
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/qai.0000000000002139
Subject(s) - serodiscordant , discontinuation , pre exposure prophylaxis , psychological intervention , medicine , thematic analysis , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , qualitative research , family medicine , psychology , gynecology , antiretroviral therapy , men who have sex with men , nursing , viral load , psychiatry , social science , syphilis , sociology
Optimal adherence to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention involves aligning consistent PrEP use with periods of risk to achieve prevention-effective adherence. Prevention-effective adherence is predicated on individuals discontinuing PrEP during periods without expected risk. For stable, serodiscordant couples, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence by the HIV-positive partner markedly decreases HIV transmission risk, potentially obviating the need for continued PrEP use; yet little is known about actual lived experiences of discontinuing PrEP.