South Africa has adopted pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a preventive strategy for populations at-risk for HIV, though uptake is low among adolescents and young adults. We examined the awareness and use of PrEP among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and November 2018 among 772 adolescents and young adults (aged 16–24 years) selected using stratified random sampling in a South African university. An electronic self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit demographic information, behavioral, family-related characteristics, awareness and use of PrEP. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the predictors of PrEP awareness.The overall level of PrEP awareness was 18.8%; however, only 1.7% of participants had used PrEP, 7.5% of had seen it, 4.8% knew how much it cost, and 14.8% knew where and how to get it. In the adjusted regression analysis, only adequate family support (AOR: 2.11; CI: 1.47–3.04) and discussions of HIV and sexually transmitted infections with sexual partners (AOR: 1.78; CI: 1.19–2.67) were associated with a higher likelihood of being aware of PrEP.The level of awareness and use of PrEP is still very low among adolescents and young adults who may need it to prevent HIV infection. Poor awareness of PrEP among adolescents and young adults in high HIV risk settings may limit its use. Thus, concerted efforts are needed to promote awareness and access to PrEP among young South African adults.

This study assessed how HIV risk perceptions, knowledge of one’s partner’s status and discussion of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with one’s sexual partner influence the uptake of HIV testing. Data were obtained from 833 young adults, selected using stratified random sampling in a South African university in 2018. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were employed to examine determinants of HIV testing uptake. The majority of students (69.9%) had previously tested for HIV, but only 58.4% tested for HIV in the last year. Being highly concerned about contracting HIV/STIs was positively associated with having tested for HIV (adjusted OR [AOR]: 4.28; CI: 2.50 to 7.34) and getting an HIV test in the past year (AOR: 1.83; CI: 1.20 to 2.80). Knowing one’s partner’s status was associated with a higher probability of ever having been tested for HIV (AOR: 3.07; CI: 1.89 to 4.97) or having received an HIV test in the previous year (AOR: 2.66; CI: 1.77 to 3.99). Discussion of HIV/STIs was associated with higher odds of having ever been tested for HIV (AOR: 3.81; CI: 2.44 to 5.96) and recent HIV testing (AOR: 3.22; CI: 2.17 to 4.77). HIV testing was below the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. Being concerned about contracting HIV, discussion of HIV/STIs with a sexual partner and knowing one’s partner’s HIV status were associated with the uptake of HIV testing.

Background Epidemiological data on the prevalence and factors associated with sexual violence is critical to understanding the magnitude of the problem and designing effective interventions. Drawing from cross-sectional data from a South African university, we examined the prevalence and correlates of sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Methods We analysed data of 451 AGYW selected using stratified sampling. Sexual violence was defined as any sexual acts, and attempt to obtain sexual acts without consent. We used adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models to examine the factors associated with exposure to sexual violence while controlling for relevant covariates. Results The lifetime and past-year prevalence of sexual violence was 37.9% and 25.3%, respectively. A higher prevalence of sexual violence was reported by heavy episodic drinkers of alcohol (lifetime 48.4% and past year 34.0%), those who received insufficient financial support (lifetime 58.0% and past year 35.8%) compared to non-users of alcohol (lifetime 27.2% and past year 17.2%),) and those who received adequate financial support (lifetime 20.8% and past year 13.1%). AGYW who reported heavy episodic use of alcohol had higher odds of reporting lifetime (AOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.07–3.25) and past year (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.10–3.75) experience of sexual violence compared to non-users. However, individuals who received adequate family financial support were 76% and 65% less likely to report lifetime and past year experience of sexual violence than those who received inadequate family financial support. Also, AGYW who rated themselves as very religious were 80% and 75% less likely to report lifetime and past year experience of sexual violence compared to those who were not religious. Conclusion Our study shows that sexual violence affects a large proportion of girls, requiring intervention that not only focuses on increasing social support for survivors, facilitating reporting, and ensuring perpetrators are convicted, but also target alcohol use reduction and poverty alleviation.

Background: There is a window of opportunity to address the menace of sexual violence in South Africa, given the formation of the ministerial task team commissioned by the president in 2019 following the brutal rape and murder of a female university student in Cape Town. Epidemiological data on the prevalence and factors associated with sexual violence is critical to understanding the magnitude of the problem and designing interventions towards reversing the trend of sexual violence in the country. Drawing from cross-sectional data from a South Africa university, we examined the prevalence and correlates of sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Methods: We analysed data of 451 AGYW selected using stratified sampling. Sexual violence was defined as any sexual acts, and attempt to obtain a sexual act without consent. We used adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models to examine the factors associated with exposure to sexual violence while controlling for relevant covariates. Results: The lifetime and past year prevalence of sexual violence was 37.9% and 25.3%, respectively. A higher prevalence of sexual violence was reported by heavy episodic drinkers of alcohol (lifetime 48.4% and past year 34.0%), those who received insufficient financial support (lifetime 58.0% and past year 35.8%) compared to non-users of alcohol and those who received adequate financial support. AGYW who reported heavy episodic use of alcohol were twice more likely to report experiencing sexual violence compared to non-users. However, individuals who received adequate family support were 76% and 65% less likely to report lifetime and past year experience of sexual violence compared to those who received inadequate family support. Also, AGYW who rated themselves as very religious were 80% and 75% less likely to report lifetime and past year experience of sexual violence compared to those who were not religious.Conclusion: Our study shows that sexual violence affects a large proportion of girls, requiring intervention that not only focuses on increasing social support for survivors, facilitating reporting, and ensuring justice is served, but also target alcohol use reduction and poverty alleviation.

No abstract