Introducing PrEP Into HIV Combination Prevention - Kenya

The project will be undertaken in 3 counties of Kenya (Nairobi, Kisumu and Homa Bay) that have high HIV prevalence. 5 sites (2 government and 3 non-governmental) have been purposively selected for the demonstration because they serve high risk populations, have existing HIV prevention services and have adequate cohort of HIV negative clients who are potential candidates for PrEP. The sites include LVCT Health's Nairobi CBD and Tivoli sites, SWOP City clinic, Homa Bay County Referral Hospital and Korogocho Health Centre. The demonstration project will use a prospective cohort design employing mixed-methods. A cohort of 2100 PrEP users (female sex workers aged 18 and above, men who have sex with men aged 18 and above, young women at high HIV risk aged 15 -29) will be followed over 12 months to assess biological and behavioral outcomes through laboratory and survey assessments. This will be complemented by review of routine service delivery statistics (to assess PrEP uptake), cost data, and qualitative data to be obtained from in-depth interviews and focus groups with health providers, PrEP users, and peer educators/community health workers at multiple points in time.This project will be implemented in a 'real life' or 'real world' setting where there will be no control or comparison arms. However, pregnant women at enrolment and female participants who become pregnant during project implementation, who choose to continue on PrEP will be enrolled in a sub-group and followed through 12 months post-partum.

Activities to be undertaken prior and during project implementation:

• HIV prevention packages, provider training, quality management and service delivery guidelines and standard operating guidelines will be developed.
• PrEP eligibility and screening tools for target populations will be piloted and validated prior to project implementation. For young women, a test of understanding will be additionally administered to screen for eligibility.
• Community sensitization and demand creation activities will be conducted prior to and during implementation. Existing peer educators for FSW and MSM from each site will reach out to these populations through hot spots. For young women at high HIV risk, outreach activities will be done by peer educators and community health volunteers (CHVs) through 1) community-based organizations which work with young women (such as youth groups, organised social gatherings [chamas], [government administrative meetings such as chief barazas] 2) political leaders such as women representatives 3) existing services reaching sexually active young women such as family planning, maternal-child health (MCH) 4) community radio and 5) anywhere that young women gather such as water points.
• To ensure adherence to good participatory practice guidelines (GPP) that outline community engagement in clinical and research activities, a national community advisory board (CAB) and community advisory committees (CAC) at each project site will be formed. The CAB and CACs will participate in the development and execution of demand creation activities, development of community education materials, peer education and mobilization, strategy development, project design, implementation and advocacy.

Project procedures:

At the screening visit, eligible and willing participants will be provided with full information about PrEP, results of efficacy trials, known side effects and potential adverse events, and daily dosing schedule. They will receive counselling on adherence to PrEP including discussions between PrEP users and service providers on developing new routines and cues as a way to facilitate good adherence. They will also receive detailed information about the project, including the number and sequence of project visits, procedures at each visit, use of MEMS Caps, and the option to discontinue PrEP use during the course of the project. They will also be counselled on available combination prevention strategies such as condom use and provided with free condoms. Participants will also be informed that PrEP will only be available for 12 months.

Willing participants will sign an informed consent form, and complete a survey questionnaire to provide baseline information on their demographics, sexual risk behaviours, risk perceptions, medical history, alcohol and drug use, contraceptive use, fertility intentions, and use of other combination HIV prevention services. They will receive HIV testing and counselling (HTC), tests for Hepatitis B surface antigen, STI syndromic screening and management as well as testing for gonorrhoea, blood draw for creatinine level and pregnancy test where applicable. Individuals who test HIV positive are ineligible for the project and will be referred to care and treatment according to standard practice. Pregnant women and women who become pregnant during the project implementation will be enrolled in a pregnancy sub group, upon their consent. Those who decline participation will receive referrals to prenatal care.

Participants will return to the project site after 14 days (2 weeks), for an enrolment visit where they will receive a one month PrEP prescription, a HIV re-test and counselling on adherence, side effects, and available supportive interventions. Participants will be asked to return after 2 weeks for assessment of adherence and side effects. They will then return to the site for the first follow up visit (1 month after enrollment visit) where they will receive the following services: counselling on HIV risk behaviours, adherence, side effects/experience with PrEP, HTC, pregnancy test (for women), creatinine level test, STI syndromic screening and management, gonorrhoea test, drug level testing, and PrEP prescription for one month (with refills from pharmacy at months 2 and 3). Every 10th participant will complete a quantitative survey at exit.

Participants will then return to the site for a quarterly visit at months 4, 7, and 10 after enrolment. The services provided during these visit will be similar to those at the first follow up visit. Participants who display high adherence will be provided with a 3 months' supply of PrEP. Those who need close monitoring will be provided with a one month's supply and will return for pharmacy refills monthly.

Participants will finally return for an exit visit, 12 months after enrolment. They will receive services similar to those at enrolment. They will also complete an exit survey, and discuss post project PrEP access with the health provider.

Individuals who want to discontinue PrEP use will be allowed to do so, and asked to consent for in depth interview to discuss their experience and decision to stop. Those who display poor adherence will be discontinued from PrEP. Those who sero-convert will be referred to care and treatment services as per standard practice.

Key strategies for retention will include 1) follow up of participants by peer educators and community health volunteers, 2) using text messages for appointment reminders and adherence support 3) enrolling participants in support groups, and 4) adherence buddies.

Indepth interviews with PrEP users and health providers, focus group discussions with peer educators, CHWs, and support group members will be conducted at Months 1, 6 and 12. The actual cost of implementing HIV combination prevention that includes PrEP will be collected throughout the project implementation period.

Ethical considerations observed in the implementation of this project include protocol approval by KEMRI ethics research committee, informed consent for participants, confidentiality of participants and their data and ensuring safety of participants.