Table 2.
Demographic, PrEP Use and Club Participation Characteristics (Listed in order of number of club sessions attended; least to most)
| Participant pseudonym, Age range in years | No. of clubs attended | Education/ Employ-ment | Relationship status at start of study | Life-time GBV Experiencea | PrEP acceptor at first visit (yes/delayed) | Self-reported PrEP use and challengesb | PrEP continuation to study endc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olive, 21–24 | 0 | University student | Partner of > 1 year | Yes | Yes | Generally used PrEP consistently. Missed doses when away from home. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Mbali, 21–24 | 0 | University student | Partner of > 1 year | Yes | Yes | PrEP use became easier following disclosure to partner, who was controlling but accepted her use of PrEP. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Samu, 18–20 | 2 | University student | Single | Yes | Delayed due to mother’s opposition; became covert user | Inconsistent PrEP use throughout study, especially during periods of sexual abstinence. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Lerato, 18–20 | 2 | University student | Partner of < 1 year; separate lover of > 1 year | Yes | Yes | Consistent PrEP use despite lack of support from partner. | Temporarily discontinued with intention to re-start. |
| Prudence, 18–20 | 3 | University student | Partner of > 1 year | No | Yes | Inconsistent PrEP use and relied on partner to remind her. | Discontinued use when relationship ended. |
| Pamela, 18–20 | 4 | High school student | Partner of > 1 year | No | Yes | Generally used PrEP consistently. Missed doses when routine changed unexpectedly. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Busi, 21–24 | 4 | Completed high school; employed | Partner of > 1 year | Yes | Yes | Generally used PrEP consistently when in relationship. Noted no adherence challenges. | Discontinued use when relationship ended, and risk perceived to be zero. Distance to clinic considered a burden. |
| Mariam, 18–20 | 5 | Completed high school; employed | Partner of < 1 year | No | Yes | Consistent PrEP use improved over time as usage became more routine. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Zanele, 21–24 | 5 | University student | Partner of < 1 year | No | Yes | Inconsistent PrEP use. | Discontinued use when decided to get pregnant. HIV sero-converted a few months after discontinuation. |
| Thuli, 21–24 | 5 | University student | Partner of > 1 year | Yes | Yes | Inconsistent PrEP use. Wanted a long-acting option. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Dudu, 21–24 | 5 | Completed high school; employed | Partner of < 1 year | No | Yes | Consistent PrEP use. | Temporarily discontinued use when became pregnant. Intention to re-start. |
| Nelisiwe, 18–20 | 6 | Completed high school; employed | Partner of < 1 year | Yes | Yes | Initially an inconsistent PrEP user. Consistent PrEP use improved after first few months. | Maintained PrEP use. |
| Lillian, 21–24 | 6 | University student | Partner of < 1 year | Yes | Yes | Generally consistent PrEP use. Missed doses when routine changed unexpectedly. | Temporarily discontinued with intention to re-start. |
a Our definition of GBV encompasses intimate partner violence (IPV) and also any violence (physical, emotional, sexual and economic) perpetrated by family members, peers and strangers. Includes both past and current experiences
b Data extracted from IDIs and presented as self-reported by participants, not objectively measured
c Refers to time frame of study participation, varying from 12 to 18 months