article · Frontiers in Public Health
Human immunodeficiency virus remains a significant global health issue, with sub-Saharan Africa disproportionately affected. Although oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis pills are currently available, their real-world impact is often limited by poor adherence. Long-acting injectable formulations offer a promising alternative to overcome this challenge. An investigation involving seventeen female barmaids in Ubungo municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, examined user awareness and acceptance of injectable protection options. While participants across both pill-using and non-using groups knew about daily PrEP tablets, very few were aware of injectable options beforehand. Despite limited prior knowledge, most participants expressed a clear willingness to adopt long-acting injectable PrEP once available. A minority of non-users conveyed safety concerns regarding PrEP and preferred sustained condom usage. Overall, injectable options could broaden HIV prevention strategies for high-risk female populations.
Daily pill adherence is a major barrier to preventing HIV transmission in vulnerable populations across sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding whether individuals at higher risk of exposure, such as female barmaids, are willing to accept long-acting injectable alternatives helps public health planners and healthcare providers design more effective HIV prevention interventions and tailor future clinical rollouts.
This qualitative user-readiness research informs pharmaceutical developers, healthcare providers, and public health agencies deploying long-acting injectable HIV prevention methods. It highlights positive demand among an at-risk demographic, though user education regarding drug safety will be essential. The findings represent early-stage social and behavioural research aimed at planning future service delivery rather than direct commercial product development.
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Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still a major global public health problem. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most severely affected, accounting for 69% of the people living with HIV worldwide. Currently, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis [PrEP] pills are offered but are highly affected by non-adherence. Long-acting injectable PrEP has the potential to improve adherence. Objective: This study aimed to explore awareness and willingness to use long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among users and non-PrEP user female barmaids in Ubungo municipality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: This phenomenological study used in-depth interviews to collect data. A total of 17 study participants were purposively selected. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. A thematic approach was used to identify patterns in the data. Key themes were coded using NVivo14 and then summarized into key findings. Findings: The findings revealed that participants who were PrEP pill users and non-users were aware of PrEP pills. Few of the PrEP pill users were aware of the long-acting injectable PrEP. The majority of both users and non-users of PrEP pills were willing to use the long-acting injectable PrEP. A few PrEP non-users expressed fear for PrEP, citing safety, and insisted on continuous condom use. Conclusion: The majority of participants are aware of and willing to use long-acting injectable PrEP when made available. The initiation of HIV long-acting injectable PrEP has the potential to increase protection options among female barmaids who are a population at risk of HIV infection.
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DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1511801
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