Implementing PrEP among Female Sex Workers in Côte d’Ivoire: new challenges for models of care (PrEP-CI ANRS 12361)
In the past years, two biomedical interventions have been added to classical tools of HIV prevention: early treatment (TasP) and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Despite the high quality evidence from recent PrEP trials, research on how best to deliver PrEP in ‘real life’ in different populations and settings remains crucial. In Côte d’Ivoire, female sex workers (FSWs) have very high HIV prevalence (29%, UNAIDS 2015) and do not systematically use condoms: a 2014 survey showed a condom use of 90% at last sexual act with a client and 15% with ‘non-client’ partner (Bamba et al. 2014). This strongly suggests that PrEP could be of great value to protect the ‘remaining risky sexual acts’. In this context, we conducted a qualitative survey among 60 FSWs reached by two community NGOs, to identify potential obstacles to regular clinical monitoring of HIV negative FSWs that any incoming program of PrEP will have to take into account. Results showed that barriers remain for HIV negative FSWs to access services offered in dedicated health centres. Implementing a program of PrEP for this population necessitate rethinking health care services and delivery system, as PrEP cannot be delivered without implementing a global package of sexual health services.
XXVIII IUSSP International Population Conference