Qualitative Assessment About PrEP Acceptability in Key-populations and Conditions Required for Community-based PrEP Implementation in Cambodia

Hypothesis:

• Hypothesis 1 : Regarding the recentness of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation with an uptake of 20% and according to the first consultative meeting, awareness and acceptability of PrEP seems to be low in key-populations of Cambodia
• Hypothesis 2 : Individual, social and structural barriers and facilitating factors of PrEP implementation as perceived by health workers and community-based organizations would be similar to what was observed worldwide 4,8.
• Hypothesis 3: Some subgroups of key-populations are difficult to reach in health facilities. Community organizations can play a critical role to provide PrEP information, initiation and counselling with the support of new technologies.
• Hypothesis 4: Community organizations might lack financial, logistical and skill capacities to deliver PrEP in good conditions

Main objective:

• To qualitatively evaluate the knowledge, awareness, perception, experience and acceptability of PrEP among key populations (entertainment workers (EW), men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TW)), and among healthcare and community workers in charge of key populations

Secondary objectives:

• To better understand the characteristics, needs and expectations of community-based organizations (CBOs), in order to define the optimal conditions for community-based PrEP implementation
• To identify tools that could be useful to increase PrEP awareness and acceptability, especially new technologies (apps, websites)

Methodology: Qualitative study Focus groups with key-populations, healthcare and community workers Semi-directive interviews with decision makers and policy makers Estimated enrolment: 10 participants per focus group, 8 focus groups, 80 participants in focus groups, 6 interviewed persons, 86 participants in total

Study population: Men who have sex with men (MSM), entertainment workers (EW), transgender women (TGW), healthcare workers, community workers, decision and policy makers