Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces HIV transmission risk by over 90% when taken as recommended. Despite its efficacy, PrEP uptake in Jamaica remained critically low at less than 10% of estimated need by 2023, necessitating targeted interventions to address barriers and increase adoption among high-risk populations.
Researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with high-risk populations including men who have sex with men, female sex workers, sero discordant couples, and vulnerable youth to understand barriers to PrEP adoption. Key obstacles identified included low awareness, reluctance to take daily medication, stigma from accessing services at HIV treatment facilities, and misconceptions about safety and side effects.
The intervention strategy employed Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory to design targeted outreach programs. Community workers provided PrEP education at entertainment venues and parties, creating comfortable, non-threatening environments for learning. Social media campaigns complemented in-person efforts. Notably, event-driven PrEP was offered at parties where risk-taking behaviours typically increase, providing an alternative to daily medication regimens.
Results demonstrated significant improvement in PrEP uptake, with initiations rising from 107 in 2022 to 284 in 2023 and 515 by July 2025. This nearly five-fold increase coincided with the comprehensive intervention implementation. The success was attributed to reducing stigma through venue-based outreach, demystifying medical aspects of PrEP, and addressing diverse user needs ranging from basic knowledge to specific concerns about privacy and convenience.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces HIV transmission risk by over 90% when taken as recommended. Despite its efficacy, PrEP uptake in Jamaica remained critically low at less than 10% of estimated need by 2023, necessitating targeted interventions to address barriers and increase adoption among high-risk populations.
Researchers conducted focus groups and interviews with high-risk populations including men who have sex with men, female sex workers, sero discordant couples, and vulnerable youth to understand barriers to PrEP adoption. Key obstacles identified included low awareness, reluctance to take daily medication, stigma from accessing services at HIV treatment facilities, and misconceptions about safety and side effects.
The intervention strategy employed Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation theory to design targeted outreach programs. Community workers provided PrEP education at entertainment venues and parties, creating comfortable, non-threatening environments for learning. Social media campaigns complemented in-person efforts. Notably, event-driven PrEP was offered at parties where risk-taking behaviours typically increase, providing an alternative to daily medication regimens.
Results demonstrated significant improvement in PrEP uptake, with initiations rising from 107 in 2022 to 284 in 2023 and 515 by July 2025. This nearly five-fold increase coincided with the comprehensive intervention implementation. The success was attributed to reducing stigma through venue-based outreach, demystifying medical aspects of PrEP, and addressing diverse user needs ranging from basic knowledge to specific concerns about privacy and convenience.
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