Pre-exposure prophylaxis for South African adolescents: What evidence?

Abstract

Adolescents and young women, particularly in South Africa, are at increased risk of HIV acquisition. To date, we have had limited primary prevention options to offer. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an additional prevention modality that has now been proven to reduce HIV acquisition in those who take it consistently during periods of HIV infection exposure. We review the PrEP evidence in adolescents and highlight some of the research gaps. Our recommendation is to increase the number of demonstration projects and other scale-up opportunities to offer oral PrEP to at-risk adolescents, and monitor carefully to answer the outstanding questions.