April 12, 2024 | Jennifer Gonzales
.png)
In response to the heightened vulnerability to HIV transmission in correctional facilities, particularly in low to middle-income countries (LMICs), a novel initiative was launched last year to introduce HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) within Zambian prisons. While this initiative marked a significant advancement, a critical gap remains: the lack of comprehensive data on how to effectively implement and sustain PrEP uptake among incarcerated individuals.
The Prison PrEP Values, Adherence, and Implementation (PreVAIL) study was developed to address these knowledge gaps surrounding HIV prevention among justice-involved populations. Representing a collaborative effort between UMB, CIDRZ, and Zambia Correctional Services, PreVAIL is one of the first studies observational studies on PrEP uptake, persistence, and adherence among incarcerated persons. The study aims to optimize PrEP delivery both during and after incarceration.
PreVAIL employs a mixed-methods research approach, combining quantitative analysis with qualitative insights to comprehensively evaluate PrEP uptake rates, adherence levels, and persistence rates among justice-involved individuals living with HIV in Zambia. PreVAIL seeks to understand and enhance HIV prevention methods within correctional facilities.
Initial results from the PreVAIL study were presented at the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2024, the leading international conference for advancements in HIV and AIDS research.
At the time of presentation, almost 500 incarcerated persons consented and enrolled in the study, and 50% of those individuals chose to initiate PrEP. PreVAIL study participants who had heard of PrEP were more likely to initiate, and 82% of those who initiated PrEP at enrollment and had completed a one-month follow-up visit were still on PrEP. As qualitative interviews with participants are conducted and further follow-up visits continue, the early result from PreVAIL suggest high demand for PrEP among incarcerated persons in Zambia.
Contact
Jennifer Gonzales
Communications and Public Relations Manager
Jennifer.Gonzales@ihv.umaryland.edu
Related stories
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Empowering Zambian Health Professionals through the ZENITH Implementation Science Institute
The Zambia Education Network for Implementation Science Training in Health (ZENITH) marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of the Implementation Science Institute (ISI) in Lusaka.
Tuesday, February 07, 2023
HIV Treatment and Prevention in Zambian Prisons May be Model for Prisons Worldwide
A recent study performed in Zambia by University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Institute of Human Virology researchers found that high uptake of HIV preventative medicine, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is possible in prison populations with adequate resources and support from the criminal justice health system.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
National HIV Testing, Counselling, and Treatment Day in Zambia
Zambia remains one of the countries that the HIV and AIDS epidemic hard hit. These factors necessitate spreading awareness of the importance of testing and treatment among Zambians.
Tuesday, May 03, 2022
Combating Gender-based Violence in Zambia
Across three districts, 110 mentors were trained through CIHEB-Zambia’s partnership with the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS).
Friday, November 19, 2021
Ciheb Helps Author First Antibiotics Guidelines for a Zambian Hospital
Ciheb and the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in conjunction with University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, have created the UTH antibiotics guidelines, the first of its kind for a health facility in Zambia.
Friday, October 29, 2021
PrEP used in the fight to end HIV in Kenya
In 2017, the Government of Kenya adopted a new policy called “A Framework for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis of IV in Kenya.” This framework directed the roll out of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Kenya, addressing the key focus areas of: availability, acceptability, accessibility of PrEP, and the holistic integration into the national HIV combination prevention strategy. To align with the government, Ciheb in Kenya’s PACT Endeleza program, which recently ended, also started offering PrEP that same year.
Monday, September 27, 2021
Bummhi Assists National Rollout of PrEP in Botswana
Bummhi — Ciheb’s local partner in Botswana — has made key contributions to the introduction, rollout, and scale up of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on a national level to help achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 HIV targets more quickly. The rollout process began in 2015 but significantly increased in the last year.
Monday, August 30, 2021
ZAMPHIA Prepares to Restart After Election Pause
After a one month pause, the Zambia Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZAMPHIA) is prepared to restart field data collection in September. The survey now enters its final stage of field work following a break in August for the 2021 Zambian general elections.
Tuesday, June 08, 2021
ZAMPHIA Survey Begins Fieldwork
The Zambia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (ZAMPHIA) is now underway! The survey was originally scheduled to take place in 2020 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that COVID-19 in Zambia has improved, the Government of Zambia, in partnership with Ciheb and others, is moving forward with the relaunch of this PEPFAR-funded assessment and have put in place all necessary safety measures to protect staff and participants. ZAMPHIA is the second ever population-based HIV impact assessment performed in Zambia.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
ZAMPHIA Survey Prepares to Relaunch in Zambia
The Zambia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (ZAMPHIA) is preparing to recommence fieldwork at the beginning of May, and staff and communities are being mobilized in anticipation of the relaunch.