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Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation, continuation and adherence among pregnant and postpartum women receiving antenatal and postnatal care: a systematic review

Source Journal of the International Aids Society
Authors A. RotsaertZ. EssackS. BosmanD.J. DaveyB. Hensen
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2025
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
Print HSRC Library: shelf number 9815133
handle https://doi.org/10.14749/32360250
In 2023, one�fourth of new HIV acquisitions in children globally resulted from vertical transmission following incident HIV during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Oral pre�exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil and emtricitabine is safe and effective in pregnancy and postpartum, with long�acting options emerging. Integrating PrEP into antenatal and postnatal care (ANC/PNC) is a crucial person�centred approach to prevent maternal HIV acquisition and vertical transmission. This review summarizes oral PrEP initiation, continuation and adherence among pregnant and postpartum women receiving ANC/PNC. We systematically searched three databases for English�language quantitative studies published between 1 January 2015 and 28 March 2024. Eligible studies focused on pregnant and/or postpartum women accessing PrEP through ANC/PNC, and reported on initiation (receipt of prescription or self�reported use), continuation (persistent use over time) and/or adherence (self�reported and/or objective). We identified 481 articles; 12 studies from Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi and South Africa met our inclusion criteria. Study heterogeneity (e.g. definitions used, population included, follow�up time) precluded meta�analysis. All studies enrolled pregnant women; three also enrolled postpartum women. Median gestational age at enrolment ranged from 20 to 26 weeks, and follow�up periods from 1 month post�enrolment to 12 months postpartum. Oral PrEP initiation ranged from 14% to 84%. Continuation at 3 months ranged from 22% to 90% and declined postpartum in all studies. Self�reported adherence (daily use) ranged from 11% to 81% in the past 7 or 30 days at 1 month (four studies) and from 54% to 81% at 3 months (two studies). Objectively measured adherence ranged from 34% to 62% for detectable tenofovir or tenofovir diphosphate levels at 1 month (three studies). One Kenyan trial demonstrated that universal versus risk�based offers of oral PrEP resulted in similar PrEP use and HIV incidence. Two�way SMS communication (Kenya) and real�time adherence biofeedback counselling using urine tenofovir testing (South Africa) enhanced PrEP continuation/adherence compared to standard�of�care.