<i>“Pharmacies are Everywhere, and You can get it at any Time”</i> : Experiences With Pharmacy-Based PrEP Delivery Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Kisumu, Kenya
Melissa Vera, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, Pauline Achieng, Helen Aketch, Evelyne Araka, Jared M. Baeten, Kristin Beima‐Sofie, Grace John‐Stewart, Pamela Kohler, Melissa Latigo Mugambi, Bernard Nyerere, Josephine Odoyo, Caroline Omom, Christine Omondi, Katrina F. Ortblad, Jillian Pintye
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Many Kenyan adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) with behaviors associated with HIV acquisition access contraception at retail pharmacies. Offering oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pharmacies could help reach AGYW with PrEP services. METHODS: We piloted PrEP delivery at 3 retail pharmacies in Kisumu, Kenya. AGYW purchasing contraception were offered PrEP by nurses with remote prescriber oversight. AGYW who accepted were provided with a free 1-month supply. We conducted in-depth interviews with AGYW 30 days postobtaining PrEP. Transcripts were analyzed to explore experiences of AGYW accessing PrEP at pharmacies. RESULTS: We conducted 41 interviews. AGYW preferred pharmacies for accessing PrEP and they were willing to pay for PrEP even if available for free at clinics. Reasons for this preference included accessibility, lack of queues, and medication stockouts, privacy, anonymity, autonomy, and high-quality counseling from our study nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacies may be an important PrEP access option for this population.