Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho
Background: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical intervention for preventing HIV transmission among high-risk populations. However, despite its proven efficacy, the uptake of PrEP remains low among youth in Lesotho, particularly those accessing services at Ntšekhe Government Ho...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625003266 |
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| author | Teboho Lekhutla Bernard Hope Taderera |
| author_facet | Teboho Lekhutla Bernard Hope Taderera |
| author_sort | Teboho Lekhutla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical intervention for preventing HIV transmission among high-risk populations. However, despite its proven efficacy, the uptake of PrEP remains low among youth in Lesotho, particularly those accessing services at Ntšekhe Government Hospital. This study aims to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and utilisation of PrEP amongst the youth aged 18–24 years at the hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to July 2024, involving 152 youth who completed structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic data, knowledge levels, and perceptions, while inferential analyses explored the relationships between education, gender, and PrEP utilisation. Findings: The study reveals that 71 % of participants were aware of PrEP, yet only 12.5 % had ever used it. Interestingly, a counterintuitive finding emerged: individuals with higher education, despite demonstrating significantly better knowledge of PrEP (p < 0.001), were less likely to use it, suggesting internal or structural barriers to uptake. This unexpected trend signals a need for further qualitative investigation. Gender disparities were also evident, with males significantly less likely to report PrEP use compared to females (p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) was found between perceptions of PrEP’s effectiveness and its utilisation. Interpretations: The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to address knowledge gaps, dispel misconceptions, and reduce barriers to PrEP access, particularly among young people in Lesotho. Expanding PrEP education and addressing gender-specific factors are crucial steps in improving PrEP uptake and preventing HIV transmission in this high-risk population. Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c337441333348bc9993b5b699956dbf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2468-2276 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific African |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c337441333348bc9993b5b699956dbf2025-08-20T03:56:45ZengElsevierScientific African2468-22762025-09-0129e0285710.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02857Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesothoTeboho Lekhutla0Bernard Hope Taderera1Corresponding author.; Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, South AfricaBackground: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical intervention for preventing HIV transmission among high-risk populations. However, despite its proven efficacy, the uptake of PrEP remains low among youth in Lesotho, particularly those accessing services at Ntšekhe Government Hospital. This study aims to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and utilisation of PrEP amongst the youth aged 18–24 years at the hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to July 2024, involving 152 youth who completed structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic data, knowledge levels, and perceptions, while inferential analyses explored the relationships between education, gender, and PrEP utilisation. Findings: The study reveals that 71 % of participants were aware of PrEP, yet only 12.5 % had ever used it. Interestingly, a counterintuitive finding emerged: individuals with higher education, despite demonstrating significantly better knowledge of PrEP (p < 0.001), were less likely to use it, suggesting internal or structural barriers to uptake. This unexpected trend signals a need for further qualitative investigation. Gender disparities were also evident, with males significantly less likely to report PrEP use compared to females (p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) was found between perceptions of PrEP’s effectiveness and its utilisation. Interpretations: The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to address knowledge gaps, dispel misconceptions, and reduce barriers to PrEP access, particularly among young people in Lesotho. Expanding PrEP education and addressing gender-specific factors are crucial steps in improving PrEP uptake and preventing HIV transmission in this high-risk population. Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625003266Healthcare utilizationHIV preventionNtšekhe government hospitalPrEPPrEP knowledgePrEP utilization |
| spellingShingle | Teboho Lekhutla Bernard Hope Taderera Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho Scientific African Healthcare utilization HIV prevention Ntšekhe government hospital PrEP PrEP knowledge PrEP utilization |
| title | Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho |
| title_full | Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho |
| title_short | Knowledge, perceptions, and utilization of Pre-exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntšekhe government hospital, lesotho |
| title_sort | knowledge perceptions and utilization of pre exposure prophylaxis among youth at ntsekhe government hospital lesotho |
| topic | Healthcare utilization HIV prevention Ntšekhe government hospital PrEP PrEP knowledge PrEP utilization |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625003266 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT teboholekhutla knowledgeperceptionsandutilizationofpreexposureprophylaxisamongyouthatntsekhegovernmenthospitallesotho AT bernardhopetaderera knowledgeperceptionsandutilizationofpreexposureprophylaxisamongyouthatntsekhegovernmenthospitallesotho |