Peer-reviewed article
An Update on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Women.
Barnett T, Cloutier D, Van Uum R, Ebrahimpoor Mashhadi P, Crespi A et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This is a literature review of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among adult women, including adolescent girls and young women. It examines barriers to PrEP initiation and use across diverse populations such as sex workers, migrants, and women who use drugs. The review identifies peer support and women-centred approaches as important for improving PrEP uptake.
Key points
- Women face barriers to PrEP initiation and discontinuation, including seasonal reductions in perceived risk
- Intimate partner violence and interpersonal trust affect women's engagement with PrEP
- Peer support and peer navigators create safe spaces that enhance trust and sustained PrEP use
- Public health messaging and access points for PrEP vary by region
- A multifaceted, women-centred approach is needed to address clinical, social, and structural barriers
Limitations
This is a literature review that synthesizes existing research rather than generating new data. The document does not specify which countries or regions were included in the review, limiting understanding of geographic applicability.
Abstract
Globally, cis and trans women face increasing rates of HIV, yet the uptake of existing HIV prevention medications often fails to meet their specific needs. This review examines HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among cis and trans women, including adolescent girls and young women; newcomers and migrants; sex workers; women who use drugs; and women who have been incarcerated, acknowledging intersectionality exists between these groups. A review of peer-reviewed published literature was conducted, and findings specifically on oral PrEP were synthesized. This review highlights several key themes shaping women's engagement with PrEP, including barriers to initiation and discontinuation; public health messaging and promotion; the role of women's networks; intimate partner violence; interpersonal trust in relationships; and "seasons of risk," where temporary reductions in perceived risk may lead to discontinuation. Additional themes include preferred access points for PrEP, regional differences, and clinical implications for practice. Peer support and peer navigators emerge as important mechanisms for creating safe spaces that enhance trust and sustained PrEP use. Improving PrEP uptake and persistence among women requires a multifaceted, women-centred approach that addresses clinical, social, and structural barriers. Context-specific implementation remains critical to addressing diverse lived realities and strengthening HIV prevention outcomes globally.