Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40018231›Full record

ArticleBMJ public health2024

Qualitative focus group discussions exploring PrEP method and service delivery preferences among female sex workers and their managers in four Zambian provinces.

Emily Evens, Tendai Munthali, Featherstone Mangunje, Mercy L Kotaka, Holly M Burke, Bupe Musonda, Musonda Musonda, Catherine S Todd

Abstract read
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Article in BMJ public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Frontiers in public health · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Emily EvensHealth Services Research, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7369-458X
Tendai MunthaliMinistry of Health, Luska, Zambia.
Featherstone MangunjeFHI 360, Lusaka, Zambia.
Mercy L KotakaFHI 360, Lusaka, Zambia.
Holly M BurkeHealth Services Research, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Bupe MusondaMinistry of Health, Luska, Zambia.
Musonda MusondaUnited States Agency for International Development, Lusaka, Zambia.
Catherine S ToddHealth Services Research, FHI 360, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the experiences of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, preferences comparing oral PrEP to future long-acting PrEP products (the dapivirine vaginal ring (PrEP ring) and injectable cabotegravir (CAB PrEP)), and service provision preferences among female sex workers (FSWs) and their managers. Methods: Qualitative formative focus group discussions were conducted in two urban (Copperbelt, Lusaka) and two rural (Central, Luapula) provinces in Zambia. Consenting participants included 43 FSWs and 36 sex work managers. Eligible participants self-identified as FSWs or sex work managers, were 18 years or older and spoke English, Nyanja or Bemba. Results: FSWs had a median age of 28 years and 60% reported ever using oral PrEP. Among potential future HIV prevention options, most FSWs preferred longer acting PrEP methods, mainly CAB PrEP over the PrEP ring. This preference was consistent across provinces. Many FSWs had personal oral PrEP experience and appreciated the high effectiveness but conveyed that the realities of daily use, including pill visibility, and attributed side effects did not meet their needs. FSWs and managers also identified frequent stigma and misinformation-related barriers to PrEP access and use at community and facility levels. Most FSWs and managers agreed that informing non-paying or long-term partners of PrEP use was acceptable. Participants offered recommendations for greater sensitisation and peer-led services or service extension through trusted figures in the community. Conclusions: Zambian FSWs and their managers preferred longer acting PrEP methods, particularly CAB PrEP, as part of comprehensive HIV prevention method choice, with little difference between provinces. PrEP programming led by FSW peers, managers or other trusted figures was recommended to address misinformation, sensitise partners and potentially deliver services to circumvent perceived stigma at health facilities.

Indexed as

HIVPre-Exposure ProphylaxisPreventive Medicine

Identifiers

PMID40018231
PMCPMC11816290

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.