Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41995925›Full record

ArticleAIDS and behavior2026

Written on the Skin: Participants' Perspectives on Scarring, Discolouration and Implant Site Reactions Experienced During a Phase I Clinical Trial for a Subdermal HIV Prevention Implant in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Emma Durden, Eliza Govender, Aphiwe Dlokweni, Nqobile Ngubane, Nqobile Myeni, Ishana Harkoo, Leila E Mansoor, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Salim S Abdool Karim, Tanuja N Gengiah

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in AIDS and behavior, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Emma DurdenCulture, Communication and Media Studies, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. durdene@ukzn.ac.za.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4223-2929
Eliza GovenderCulture, Communication and Media Studies, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0937-9438
Aphiwe DlokweniCulture, Communication and Media Studies, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4235-2170
Nqobile NgubaneCulture, Communication and Media Studies, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9955-1237
Nqobile MyeniCentre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-1926-3253
Ishana HarkooCentre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9147-7140
Leila E MansoorCentre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7607-348X
Quarraisha Abdool KarimCentre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0985-477X
Salim S Abdool KarimCentre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4986-2133
Tanuja N GengiahCentre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3405-5128

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

To address challenges associated with the uptake of daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by young women at high risk of acquiring HIV, a range of novel, long-acting, slow-release products are being developed and clinically evaluated. One such technology is an annual implant of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). This study explores the perspectives of participants from a first-in-human trial of an annual TAF implant to inform considerations for future PrEP implant innovation. The study, conducted in Durban, South Africa between 2022 and 2023, included 29 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and three focus group discussions (FGDs) with 18 participants. All participants experienced some form of implant site reaction (ISR). In some instances, these were minor, and in others, the implant removal process left longer-lasting and more severe skin changes. Participants' perceptions of these ISRs were influenced by concerns about their appearance, social stigma, and associations between scars and gender-based violence. Mild skin changes were deemed acceptable, while severe scarring and discolouration caused concerns about attracting negative attention. Few participants expressed concerns about their own scars, however, visible scars which might be mistaken for a contraceptive implant caused concern. Despite the ISRs experienced, there was positive feedback for this type of technology, and many considered that other women would be interested in adopting a sub-dermal implant should it be effective in preventing HIV. Continued enhancements of next generation implants to enhance drug release rates should consider how to minimise the severity and visibility of ISRs.

Indexed as

implant site reactions.PrEPscarringSubdermal implant

Identifiers

PMID41995925

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.